pamclawson

No Glowdeo but still fun at the Balloon Museum

Thursday evening we went to the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque Balloon Museum for dinner. The Museum has several levels that overlook Balloon Fiesta Park. Thursday night was to be the Special Shapes Glowdeo. That is where the special shape balloons inflate after sunset. Because it is dangerous to fly at night (electric wires being reason #1) they stay tethered but keep firing the propane to get the “glow”. The wind increased throughout the day and by the time evening came it was too windy for the balloons to even inflate.

  • The headquarter for the Fiesta was across the street from the Balloon Museum.
  • The street level entrance of the balloon museum
  • Field level of the Balloon Museum in the background.
On September 19, 1783 a duck, a sheep and a rooster were sent aloft in a balloon called the Le Martial. This proved a mammal could survive at “high altitude”. A ground crew of about 20 helped launch the balloon from Versailles, France. The sheep was kept at Marie Antoinette’s “farm”. It is not known what happened to the birds. Shortly thereafter, Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier launched the first manned hot air balloon. The heat source was a fire of chopped straw, wool soaked with alcohol, putrid meat and old shoes.

As scheduled, we had a buffet dinner at the Museum. Road Scholar had private access to the 2nd floor dining area. We did have a great view of the field but nothing to see. BUT even though they couldn’t do the Glowdeo they still could do the fireworks…