A Rodeo of Balloon Shapes

This entry is for the #PremiumMembers Show us your home! contest.

Every year Albuquerque becomes home to many hundreds of balloons from around the world. I love the mountains, the Rio Grande, the open spaces, the people, the chile, and the weather, but the Balloon Fiesta usually manages to incorporate all of it. This shot includes not only some Special Shape balloons that manage to jump across cultural boundaries, but also one of the best things about living here: RIDING IN ONE. I took this shot from another balloon as we ascended over the field. The experience is out of this world, but even more special, because I worked for it. I was on a chase crew for a balloon, helping to unfold it, get it ready for launch, follow it, and then pack it all up again. I've been up twice, flying higher then the mountains, flying low over the Rio Grande, and flying over other balloons, people, houses and farmland. It is an experience not entirely unique to Albuquerque, but one that makes living here all the more fun and interesting.