Lumination on Steroids!

As much as the "Mass Ascension" brought us into a giddy mind of awe and wonder, the "Evening Glow" and "After Glow" blew our greatly expanded brains into oblivion. This is an evening event that starts at sunset and suddenly hundreds of balloons begin to come to life and rise up in the dark. This was so exciting that we ran back to the Merka-Bus to get warmer clothes, a little wine and a snack. Not much time for the snacks as we couldn't stop taking pictures. You are walking around and underneath these giant shapes and colors with the occasional eruption of volcanic fire and light coming from the burners that are the engines of the monsters. A voice over the loudspeaker would countdown and suddenly hundreds of dark balloons burst to life in sound, light and fury!... it's overwhelming!

Then came the "After Glow" fireworks display. WOW! We were wandering around the launch field under the glowing behemoths when they all started coming down. We stopped and put down a blanket and in about 15 minutes all the balloons were down and we find that we are right in front of the two areas of fireworks launch, which are perpendicular to each other.  We hope the pictures and videos give you at least a little bit of an idea of what it was like... but there is really no way to capture the whole of the experience.

The next morning the wind calmed just enough to start a mass ascension and we were downwind from the launch field, in the Merka-Bus, waking up to the sound of balloon burners. When we arrived to the RV parking field on Friday we followed the signs and waited in a long line to register. It was very organized and it wasn't long before a volunteer guide lead us to our spot among 3,000 other RV's. Our guide lead us to... get this!... the second row from the front and closest to the launch field!!!  So, the balloons are launching and floating right over our heads as we make a little hot beverage and toast. Some of the balloons landed in the RV parking area... which used to be the launch field years ago.

One word of advise... Do whatever you can to get there next year. seriously!!!!!

SEE MORE PICTURES!!!