Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival 2005

The United Van Lines balloon (and van) during early stages of inflation.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:55:49 -0700

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The United Van Lines balloon (and van) during early stages of inflation.

The balloon interiors can provide artsy photo ops.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:55:10 -0700

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The balloon interiors can provide artsy photo ops.

A little closer view of the inside of a balloon envelope.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:26:19 -0700

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A little closer view of the inside of a balloon envelope.

Moon and stars and stripes.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:45:53 -0700

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Moon and stars and stripes.

The Mayflower and United Van Lines balloons.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:45:41 -0700

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The Mayflower and United Van Lines balloons.

Robin Wilson, pilot Kevin Knapp, and Kirk Wilson.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:11:19 -0700

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Robin Wilson, pilot Kevin Knapp, and Kirk Wilson.

United Van Lines and Mayflower balloons.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:09:55 -0700

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United Van Lines and Mayflower balloons.

Overlapping balloon tops.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:03:26 -0700

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Overlapping balloon tops.

An overall view of the festival, as many balloons have begun to ascend. Photo copyright 2005 by Robin Wilson. Please contact Robin at robnkirk@comcast.net if you wish to purchase this photo. ...

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:43:38 -0700

imagesofcolorado
An overall view of the festival, as many balloons have begun to ascend. Photo copyright 2005 by Robin Wilson. Please contact Robin at robnkirk@comcast.net if you wish to purchase this photo. ...

A second overall view of the many balloons at the festival. Photo copyright 2005 by Robin Wilson. Please contact Robin at robnkirk@comcast.net if you wish to purchase this photo. Or visit he ...

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:13:23 -0700

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A second overall view of the many balloons at the festival. Photo copyright 2005 by Robin Wilson. Please contact Robin at robnkirk@comcast.net if you wish to purchase this photo. Or visit he ...

An aquarium-themed balloon takes off into puffy Colorado clouds.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:53:45 -0700

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An aquarium-themed balloon takes off into puffy Colorado clouds.

A man talking on his cell phone is shadowed against the His-N-Hers balloon.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:02:34 -0700

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A man talking on his cell phone is shadowed against the His-N-Hers balloon.

Thanks to Tracy for her crewing help!

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:01:45 -0700

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Thanks to Tracy for her crewing help!

There's nothing like a balloon festival!

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:00:56 -0700

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There's nothing like a balloon festival!

Sometimes two balloons are just meant for each other.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:51:04 -0700

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Sometimes two balloons are just meant for each other.

A trio of balloons.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:50:13 -0700

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A trio of balloons.

So much to see.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:49:41 -0700

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So much to see.

Looking up into the envelope of the His-N-Hers balloon, as we were taking off. You can see the fuel burning.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:49:04 -0700

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Looking up into the envelope of the His-N-Hers balloon, as we were taking off. You can see the fuel burning.

The His-N-Hers balloon, in which I was riding! Photo copyright 2005 by Robin Wilson. Please contact Robin at robnkirk@comcast.net if you wish to purchase this photo. Or visit her website to ...

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:03:52 -0700

imagesofcolorado
The His-N-Hers balloon, in which I was riding! Photo copyright 2005 by Robin Wilson. Please contact Robin at robnkirk@comcast.net if you wish to purchase this photo. Or visit her website to ...

Like a fantasy in the sky.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:48:18 -0700

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Like a fantasy in the sky.

Kirk, Robin, and Kevin are in the Mayflower balloon.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:47:37 -0700

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Kirk, Robin, and Kevin are in the Mayflower balloon.

Some of the balloons are huge, towering over the field at Chatfield State Park.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:08:41 -0700

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Some of the balloons are huge, towering over the field at Chatfield State Park.

C-470, down below.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:06:52 -0700

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C-470, down below.

Ballooning with ponds in the background near Chatfield.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:05:29 -0700

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Ballooning with ponds in the background near Chatfield.

The foothills of Colorado and a balloon.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:00:01 -0700

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The foothills of Colorado and a balloon.

Imagine a balloon ride like this.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:58:59 -0700

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Imagine a balloon ride like this.

Pigs don't fly!

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:57:33 -0700

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Pigs don't fly!

The foothills make a stunning backdrop.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:56:32 -0700

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The foothills make a stunning backdrop.

Flying over trees and homes.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:42:53 -0700

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Flying over trees and homes.

Over a farm near the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:42:20 -0700

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Over a farm near the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield.

The corn maze at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield. The columbine design was a wonderful idea.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:41:26 -0700

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The corn maze at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield. The columbine design was a wonderful idea.

Overlooking Jefferson County.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:39:19 -0700

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Overlooking Jefferson County.

Jefferson County homes.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:38:18 -0700

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Jefferson County homes.

The Lockheed Martin facility, nestled up against the foothills.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:36:57 -0700

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The Lockheed Martin facility, nestled up against the foothills.

Stunning rock formations in front of the Lockheed Martin facility.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:35:52 -0700

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Stunning rock formations in front of the Lockheed Martin facility.

Looking to the north.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:31:55 -0700

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Looking to the north.

Looking to the south, and the jutting rocks of Roxborough State Park.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:29:41 -0700

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Looking to the south, and the jutting rocks of Roxborough State Park.

Some of the balloons (including ours) navigated over the waters of Chatfield Reservoirs.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:28:35 -0700

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Some of the balloons (including ours) navigated over the waters of Chatfield Reservoirs.

Look out below!

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:27:42 -0700

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Look out below!

It takes a seasoned pilot to cross over the water and then catch another directional wind back to land. I'm happy to say that my pilot, Rick Garland, is one of the seasoned ones!

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:16:07 -0700

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It takes a seasoned pilot to cross over the water and then catch another directional wind back to land. I'm happy to say that my pilot, Rick Garland, is one of the seasoned ones!

Pilot Rick Garland, center, his wife and fellow pilot Carol on the right and crew member Tracy on the left.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:14:49 -0700

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Pilot Rick Garland, center, his wife and fellow pilot Carol on the right and crew member Tracy on the left.

A cute young ballooning fan.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:13:37 -0700

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A cute young ballooning fan.

On Sunday, I stayed on the ground and was able to photograph the His-N-Hers balloon in a group.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:11:59 -0700

imagesofcolorado
On Sunday, I stayed on the ground and was able to photograph the His-N-Hers balloon in a group.

A spiral-patterned balloon.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:11:11 -0700

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A spiral-patterned balloon.

Double balloons.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:07:51 -0700

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Double balloons.

Near miss. Nah, not really.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:06:06 -0700

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Near miss. Nah, not really.

Keeps on going...

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:35:04 -0700

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Keeps on going...

The crowd was delighted with the sight of the balloons.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:34:07 -0700

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The crowd was delighted with the sight of the balloons.

Over the foothills.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:32:59 -0700

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Over the foothills.

Serena's Song, a very special balloon. It has a basket with a door, so that kids in wheelchairs and with other disabilities can enter easily. They get the ride of their lives.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:32:12 -0700

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Serena's Song, a very special balloon. It has a basket with a door, so that kids in wheelchairs and with other disabilities can enter easily. They get the ride of their lives.

More...balloons!

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:31:38 -0700

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More...balloons!

A particularly vibrant balloon.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:31:08 -0700

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A particularly vibrant balloon.

Can't beat those colors.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:30:48 -0700

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Can't beat those colors.

Oppositional.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:29:48 -0700

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Oppositional.

Whoa!

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:35:46 -0700

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Whoa!

Paraglider in the air.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:17:39 -0700

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Paraglider in the air.

Triplane.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:17:20 -0700

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Triplane.

A biplane.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:38:16 -0700

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A biplane.

Paraglider.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:37:49 -0700

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Paraglider.

That wonderful Stars 'n' Stripes balloon.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:36:57 -0700

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That wonderful Stars 'n' Stripes balloon.

Another look at it.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:44:31 -0700

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Another look at it.

Rick and Carol took their Texas friends up on Sunday. Such a nice bunch of people!

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:43:42 -0700

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Rick and Carol took their Texas friends up on Sunday. Such a nice bunch of people!

Paragliding in front of the foothills.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:42:48 -0700

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Paragliding in front of the foothills.

This fellow played the bagpipes for me. Then he hopped in a balloon and played as it was taking off.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:41:58 -0700

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This fellow played the bagpipes for me. Then he hopped in a balloon and played as it was taking off.

Patrotism.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:40:51 -0700

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Patrotism.

His-N-Hers and a fellow balloon.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:40:14 -0700

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His-N-Hers and a fellow balloon.

Taking off against a blue Colorado sky.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:28:58 -0700

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Taking off against a blue Colorado sky.

Mayflower and United Van Lines balloons.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:27:55 -0700

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Mayflower and United Van Lines balloons.

Such a pretty sight!

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:27:02 -0700

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Such a pretty sight!

Tony suggested that we eat our Corn Flakes.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:20:32 -0700

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Tony suggested that we eat our Corn Flakes.

Overlapping balloons.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:18:30 -0700

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Overlapping balloons.

This passenger is carrying a piece of equipment for playing a game. He'll use the net to scoop up a target.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:26:12 -0700

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This passenger is carrying a piece of equipment for playing a game. He'll use the net to scoop up a target.

A couple.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:24:31 -0700

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A couple.

All that color!

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:23:10 -0700

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All that color!

Orange and blue.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:22:28 -0700

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Orange and blue.

Fat City.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:21:12 -0700

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Fat City.

And for our grand finale: A panoramic stitch of two photos of this most wonderful Western-themed balloon.

nobody@smugmug.com (imagesofcolorado) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 18:45:03 -0700

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And for our grand finale: A panoramic stitch of two photos of this most wonderful Western-themed balloon.