Last Thursday, twelve local adventurers and I attended the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, an event I had always wanted to experience. Sherry Cook at Sterling Travel skillfully and with expertise organized the trip.

My sister, Patty, who we lost in 2017, loved hot air balloons, and I never see one without thinking of her. Also, my oldest sister accompanied our cousin on a birthday gift balloon ride…They both loved it.

Some in our group chose not to take a balloon ride, and I get it. I, too, was apprehensive of surrendering control and rising higher and higher in a propane-fueled basket under the control of a total stranger. I think it’s called blind trust. I borrowed strength from my two sisters—If they could do it, so could I—sibling competition, you know.

We met the vans at 5:30 a.m., and seven of us arrived at the start of our balloon ride to sign in and get directions to “our” balloon. Assigned to ride in the balloons of Murray and Ed and donned with wristbands, we awaited further directions. So far—so good.

Then, a big guy with a big voice called us together and said, “The balloon launch is off because a storm is coming and it’s a bad cell.”

There was no chance of rescheduling. I was bummed and probably pouted for a bit.

Life goes on, and we were encouraged that tomorrow we would at least be able to see the balloon launch, even though we lost our chance of a ride. Then we thought we could see balloons at the glow where the burner flames would illuminate them after sundown.

There was no glow. It rained.

So, we looked at each other and said, “It’s been two days, we came for the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, and have not seen one balloon.” Not one.

So, we don’t give up easily. The following day, we were up again and on the bus at 4:30 to witness the early morning balloon launch. Our tour guide told us there were more than 500 balloons registered. We were happy.

More rain, and no launch.

We still had one more chance, the glow before sunrise. We were excited again, as it sprinkled once more. However, a dozen or more balloon owners, bless their souls, rolled out their giant balloons, raised them with the propane burners, and we saw and touched actual gorgeous balloons light up the field.

It was breathtaking, and all the previous disappointment evaporated in the beauty of the majestic balloons.

Is a balloon ride still on my bucket list? Yes. Will I do another trip with Sherry Cook at Sterling Travel, sponsored by the Bank of Colorado? Absolutely! She was fabulous and we had a blast!

Goes to show that disappointment is not permanent

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.

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