Pilot briefing before sunrise.
Dawn Patrol. Since they're flying before sunrise they have lights hanging from the basket (just like all aircraft flying at night per FAA regulations).
Special Shape balloons can be very large. Here's Spongebob Squarepants laid out before they begin inflation.
Ride balloons get ready to take hundreds of people up to see the Fiesta from the sky. The one with the saguaro on it is from Phoenix.
This bear is 150' tall. This morning it didn't launch, and was down-wind from us. Dean did a great job flying over it.
Special Shapes day as seen from the air. Note the bees - Joey, Joelly, and Lilly (left-to-right) from AZ.
See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil...Monkey Balloon
A special treat for tailgating after the flight. Nice job replicating the Happy Hour balloon in icing!
The Glowdeo was cancelled due to wind, but the fireworks still went off. They were spectacular!
The heads at the bottom-left that you see are mounted police. Incredibly well trained horses to be close to the fireworks and not spook.
Just like at Temecula, I can't get Smokey The Bear to turn towards me...
Looking inside America One (US flag balloon) - 53 feet tall, 78 feet wide, 29 feet from front to back & weighs 530 pounds.
Looking inside Patriot (space shuttle balloon).
This space shuttle balloon (Patriot) is 178 feet tall, 115 feet wide & weighs 992 pounds
Happy Hour (red top/bottom, white middle, w/blue/yellow bands) and Calypso (blue/green/yellow gradient), balloons from the Phoenix area, take off at a mass ascension.
Our crew access and parking passes.
