Balloons!!!

We made the trek to Foley, Alabama for the second year in a row to attend the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival. Now in it’s 8th year, the festival attracts balloon teams from Ohio, Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana and Alabama.

While the real action takes place at 6 A.M. both days of the Festival and at sunset, the grounds offer vendors from photography, jewelers, artists, clothing and home made soap the Disc Connected K9′s and carny food.

To pass the time during the day when there wasn’t much going on we paid a visit to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (the little zoo that could). It was fantastic and will be the subject of another post.

The following pictures were taken on the second day of the festival. This year there were 45 balloons competing. Right around sunset, the crews inflate their balloons and take off. Well, only half took off; the second half inflated their balloons and participated in the “glow and twinkle” part of the festival. Glowing is where the pilots light up the balloons using the same propane that helps them ascend into the sky. It is absolutely awesome to watch. Twinkling is short glows.

There is nothing more awe-inspiring than watching the balloons inflate.

Notice the size of these balloons!

First balloon to fly is “Hope Floats” from Alabama

One balloon rises above the others

The Constitution balloon, “Freedom Flyer” from Florida.

The “Smiley” from Ohio balloon was a big hit.

I kicked myself for not bringing my wide-angle lens!

The black balloon is “Wind Spirit” from Alabama.

Here’s “Wisdom Racer” from Baton Rouge rising into the sky

There’s “Cheaper than a Wife” from Missouri.

Flying over the tree line…..

Left to right “Touchstone Energy” from Texas, “Smiley” from Ohio, “Let’s Get High” from Alabama and “Big Red” from North Carolina.

Here’s “Dean’s Dream” from Mississippi

I liked the way the setting sun was reflected on these balloons.

One of our favorites: “Synchronicity” from Nevada.

Floating away…..

“Smokey the Bear” from New Mexico.

The “Budweiser” balloon’s from Mississippi.

After the first half of the balloons took off, the “Glow & Twinkle” started.

It’s fun to watch and try to get the pictures as they glow.

“Sunrise Fellowship” from Arkansas is dwarfed by “Oggy the Friendly Dragon” from Indiana.

Here’s another shot of the glow.

It was a great weekend and we learned to eat before we went to the festival because carny food is not so good. So if you’re ever looking for something unique to do for Fathers’ Day weekend, keep this festival in mind. It’s worth the trip. Plus Foley and the Orange Beach area have quite a few attractions.