Flying High in My Own Moving Picture Show

September 25, 2003
By Leann D. McAllister

The lighting is dimmed, the mood serene, and the crowd whispers in suspended anticipation. All of a sudden, a bright light flickers…

Not the flickering light of a movie projector, but rather the hot light of a 20-foot high flame shooting out of a propane tank at dawn to heat the air inside a 80-foot multi-colored balloon. The parallels between going to the movies and riding in a hot air balloon are truly remarkable which makes “The Great Moving Picture Show” the perfect theme for the 32nd annual Albuquerque Internal Balloon Fiesta (Oct. 4-12, 2003).

Last week I experienced my very first ride in a hot air balloon. An avid movie buff, I approached the experience wanting to find the commonalities between ballooning and going to the movies. In my experience, there are two different kinds of movies that fulfill divergent needs: The first is a fantasy-based escape from everyday life; the other, an artistic, almost spiritual interpretation of that same ordinary life.

So, I had to wonder: Are balloonists escaping the stress of reality or do they use their hobby to find meaning in what would otherwise be an ordinary, everyday life?

ESCAPING
I don’t take the movies seriously, and anyone who does is in for a headache. –Bette Davis

My ride began with the alarm clock blaring at 5:30 a.m. Ballooning requires specific temperature and wind conditions—conditions that are best at dawn. Ordinarily, I’d whine and complain about such conditions. On this day, however, I was too excited to be bothered by such inconveniences. Besides, the heat from the flame shooting out of the gas tank provided a modicum of warmth.

My pilot that day was Lana Mason. She and her husband Bob are ardent balloonists who have been piloting balloons for over 10 years. Their current balloon, FOREVER GRATEFUL, is simply beautiful with bright colored squares of pink, yellow, purple and turquoises. There are large yellow stars near the top and brightly-colored bears hang from the ropes as mascots.

Lift-off was exciting and, well, fast. Within a matter of a few minutes, the balloon went from totally deflated to a fully expanded state. A crew of four men and two women in tie dye, aptly named GRATEFUL CHASE, hold the balloon’s basket, or gondola, down so that Lana, Bob and I can get situated. Before I knew what was happening, a balloon referee, called a zebra, gave us the go-ahead to take off. And we did.

Rising up felt as smooth and graceful as it looked from the ground. Before I knew it we were 800 feet in the air. In between the loud blasts from the gas tank there was this amazing quiet. It was during the quiet moments that I learned from Lana and Bob that a balloon can go 500 hours before it is retired and the Masons typically fly 50 hours a year.

I also learned about “boxing.” No, not throwing punches, but rather the directed act of moving a balloon in different directions by changing altitude. Albuquerque is one of the few places on earth where this is possible. We carefully watched other balloons glide through the air to determine which way the winds were blowing, and then carefully chose our altitude. The winds, however, are fickle and can change direction without warning.

Writing this I cannot truly represent the incredible experience of riding in FOREVER GRATEFUL. Of course, I had read about and discussed with others the experience of riding in a balloon, but still was not entirely prepared for the shear pleasure of floating like a cloud, completely at peace. I had escaped gravity, escaped the world—escaped the stress of everyday life. The 40-minute ride went by much too quickly. I wanted more.

FINDING MEANING
You know what your problem is, it's that you haven't seen enough movies—all of life’s riddles are answered in the movies. –Steve Martin

The ride, itself, was only one part of my experience. Another part was socializing with the ballooning community.

Every balloon has to have a chase crew and ours, GRATEFUL CHASE, was amazing. The 5-person crew included Jim Augeri, his wife Winnie, their daughter Jamie and her boyfriend Mark. The last member, Cody, is the son of one of Bob’s co-workers. This was truly a family affair.

On this particular day, over 70 other balloons were also launching in a mass ascension and target competition organized by the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA or “Quad-A”), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of hot air ballooning.

It became clear to me that the Masons, together with their chase crew and the entire Quad-A membership, formed a community. Like going to the movies, ballooning affords an individual an astounding escape as well as a party. After all, the movies are always better when you go with friends.

THE ALBUQUERQUE COMMUNITY
I've spent several years in Hollywood, and I still think the movie heroes are in the audience.
– Wilson Mizner

After we were safely on the ground and FOREVER GRATEFUL was neatly put away, we all had a glass of Champaign and I was initiated into the family of balloon riders. Before I left them, I asked the Masons what was the one message they wanted me to communicate in my article.

They told me all they wanted was for the greater community of Albuquerque to continue to support ballooning. The annual Balloon Fiesta is a magnificent and unique event; a celebration that unifies the community for nine days every October. It is important, however, to remember that the Fiesta doesn’t just magically occur. Fiesta executives, volunteers, pilots, Fiesta attendee and sponsors all play a significant role in making the Fiesta happen. In the end, however, none of it is possible without the enthusiasm of the greater Albuquerque community.

So, set that early-morning alarm, get some fresh, hot popcorn, and enjoy the 2003 Great Moving Picture Show. See you on the field or, even better, in the air.