Sunday, September 11, 2016

The Great Reno Balloon Race 2016


Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoy this post of one of our wonderful events in Reno.  Have a great day!

The girls and I went to the Great Reno Balloon Races this Friday.  Up at 3:45am...left at 4:15am...stop for hot cocoa and coffee at Maverick...arrive at 4:35am.  It takes about 15-20 minutes to park and walk down to the park.

The balloons are probably my favorite event in Reno!  We go every year and it never gets old.  Never!
 At 5:15am, the Great Reno Balloon Race begins with the Glow Show.  Many of the balloons participate lighting up the field so beautifully.  I tried to get the best photos I could - the colors are just beautiful in person.
As you can see, you are right there watching these balloons.  


The weather was cool but not freezing. :)

 After the glow show, there is a break.  We used the bathrooms and saw the two fish balloons lighting up doing a little show for everyone. :)  
We got in line for some hot, fresh mini donuts to munch on.  MMM!  Then it was wait for the mass ascension.  We look a little tired!  HA!

 So here are my kids...the one under the blanket...the grumpy teenager. ;)
If you decide to come to the races some day, dress warmly!  And bring a blanket.

 One of the best parts of the races is watching the sun rise over the mountains!  As the sun begins to rise, crews are working to get their balloons prepared to inflate and ascend.  The field is a busy place!
If you stand beside the balloons as they are heating up the air, wow, that flame is sure hot!  You can see it in the photo above.


When it started to get light, Sierra says to me, "I am so excited!  One of my favorite part of the races is watching the sunrise!"  That was so cute!
And as the sun came up, she was there watching it.  I got this photo of her soaking in the sight of the sunrise.  Kids really are amazing, aren't they?  


After the sunrise, everyone stood for the National Anthem as the gorgeous red, white and blue balloons ascended into the sky.  What an amazing feeling that is...being among thousands and thousands of people hearing the words of our anthem, hands over our heart, watching the American flag ascend into the sky!  I love America and all the freedoms it truly does provide to us all.


And then all the balloons prepared to ascend.  The girls and I walked around the field looking at all the balloons blowing up and taking photos.  If you ever come, do that!  You don't have to stay behind the lines - walk around!  It is an amazing experience!!  
You get to see the balloons up close and get amazing photos.  An unforgettable experience!


A video of the balloons!


Look how close - so neat!!  I've been coming to this event for years and I still feel like a little kid. :))))


Great photo!  You get to see the basket...all the people around...balloons going up in the back ground.





The girls loved the flip flops on the balloon. :)


They look a little like homeless urchins. :)






 The girls loved the unique ones...Mr. Penguin, the Liberty Bell, the Wells Fargo stagecoach.

 Smoky the Bear, Angry Bird and the American balloon.



 Don't you just love all the angles?  So many pretty photos!




The Glow Show - they always do the Dueling Banjos!  So fun!

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