White Sands Balloon Rally 2009
It was a good morning to be from Las Cruces, NM. There were things to do and places to see. The excitement began the night before when my wife and I discussed the possibility of taking our young Daughters, Kendra (8) and Kayla (7) to White Sands National Monument for the mass ascension of the hot air balloons. While we had attended the event the prior year and enjoyed it, we thought that perhaps it would have lost its’ novelty and appeal to see it yet again. With a firm disregard for the conventional we decided that we would do it again!
It begins well before departure time. First we made the responsible decision to make it an early night for a refreshed rising the following morning. We diligently tucked our children to bed at a respectable hour and then proceeded to watch bad television until it was way past OUR bedtime!
The alarm went off at exactly the time set but much earlier than our bodies wished to stir. The warm embrace of 1200 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets refusing to release me from the deep slumber I was enjoying. But it was time to rise. The balloons would not wait!
A quick breakfast burrito for the clan, folding chairs, coffee and cocoa and we were off! If you don’t want to miss it you had best be there before 7 am. The drive is short and worth mention. We are so fortunate to have the Organ Mountains to look at every day. One is even more blessed to get to see both sides of them as the sights differ greatly and you would scarcely know that you were looking at the same mountains! The eastern side offers the view that gave them their name. When the homesick conquistador Don Juan de Onante laid eyes upon them for the first time, the fractures in the majestic granite reminded him of the cathedral organ pipes he so missed in his native Spain. Take the time to look and you will see them too.
When we arrived at White Sands, it was apparent that we were not the only ones with this idea. Thousands of people from near and far were there with kids, dogs, and cameras. We found our spot by testing the direction of the wind with a wet fingertip. We wanted to be downwind of the flying craft to be there when they rose gracefully from the ground and drifted directly over our heads. Some only missed us by feet. It provides the view directly up and into the center of the crafts.
We have all seen balloons and they are always colorful and a delight to watch but there is something truly unique when you see them with a background of endless, pristine white. White as far as the eye can see! The colors and shapes are more defined, more striking and even the most inept photographer can take spectacular shots! It is fun for all and like a desert sunset it is over as quickly as it starts. This is not the rally of dry turkey wings and cheap imported bobble to throw your money at. All are there to witness the grace and beauty of the balloons and sand. As quickly as we all assembled we scattered. Much like seeds in the wind, we drift back to our respective homes to take root in the sofa f or a much earned mid-morning nap. Only to wake to the realization that you have the entire day to partake in another adventure with abandon. What a place to, “Get out and Enjoy!” We will do this again and again.
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Kevin Wilson, Associate Broker, REALTOR,
The Evelyn Bruder Real Estate Team
kevin@steinborn.com
Visit the Dream Team Website: http://www.homesforsaleinLasCruices.com
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