Ballooning in Albuquerque

Our Route 66 adventure wrapped up in New Mexico, which was always part of the plan. Albuquerque, in particular, is known for hot air balloons—something I’ve always wanted to try. Still, whether we’d actually go was, well, up in the air.

The first hurdle was weather. Balloons typically won’t launch if wind speeds exceed 8–10 mph. Our weather app showed about 7 mph—just within the safe zone. The second hurdle was the kids. Balloon rides happen at sunrise. Marley was on board from the start. Faith was a definite no. That left Lainey as the deciding vote. She started with a "no," but after a little politicking, she changed her mind to a "yes."

Everything aligned, and by 5:30 a.m., we arrived at Rainbow Ryders HQ, ready for liftoff. After a short bus ride, we reached an open lot where several balloons were prepping for launch. Watching the setup was half the fun—unfolding the balloon, firing up huge fans, and igniting the flame torch. The whole process was mesmerizing.

About a dozen of us climbed into the basket. Marley was handed a little stool so he could see out. Takeoff was smooth—a bit nerve-wracking for the kids at first—but once we were in the air, it was peaceful. Quiet, except for the occasional dog bark echoing from below. The views were stunning: all of Albuquerque, the mostly-dry Rio Grande, and the surrounding mountains. At one point, Marley declared, “This is awesome… I’m ready to go down now.” 😄

Landing was its own adventure. There’s no set landing zone; instead, the pilot and the “chase crew” look for a suitable spot as the balloon descends—maybe a park, a meadow, a parking lot, or even a street. In Albuquerque, it’s apparently not uncommon to tell your boss you’re late because a balloon landed in your driveway.

Our balloon ended up touching down in the back of a church parking lot. Once safely out of the basket, we celebrated with a mimosa (or orange juice) toast and a ride back to our car. At this point, our family, family trip—and especially Marley—had become a part of the entertainment on the bus. He regaled the group with stories about our trip, his friends, his next big plans, and pretty much any thought that came to mind. In other words, a typical car ride with Marley.

By 9 a.m., we were back at the hotel, grabbing breakfast and packing up. It was time to hit the road once again.

Next stop: Colorado.