I mentioned in a previous post that I had some hot air balloon photos. The year was MMV, Labor Day weekend. That means the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic is underway . . . or preparing to get underway.

By the way, as usual, click for larger view, or go to SmugMug (HERE) for the Gallery of all the photos in “original” resolution.

Obviously, based on the up-turned faces, some balloons are farther along the inflation cycle than others.

There are 115 photographs spanning two days in the gallery, but I won’t show them all here. But, you know . . . I’ll give it a valiant try.

The annual event attracts a lot of people. Probably why, after that first year, we’ve never returned. However, this year (if we are here) we plan to attend the festivities.

This despite the people . . . that’s right, I’ll be mingling with real, honest-to-goodness live persons. I’m already stressing out.

The early morning hours are a constant bustle of activity with balloons in various stages of inflation, people milling around, and the loud sound of the flames providing the fuel for the vertical ascent.

A balloon or two is being launched almost every few minutes.

This next photo tries to accomplish something. One, showing the incongruous contrast of a hot air balloon and a child’s balloon, and two, introduces Pikes Peak into the activity, almost like a signature of sorts; this is Colorado Springs.

I did try a few artistic shots . . . 

At one point, I was just trying to capture as many balloons as I could up in the air.

I thought this next one was striking . . . 

. . . and this next one just a bit odd . . . 

I mentioned this was at Memorial Park (or thought I mentioned it), home of Prospect Lake. Some of the balloons would rise up, clear a tree or two, and then descend to “kiss” the water before rising again.

Only a few timed it right so as to barely disturb the water . . . most missed.

The above was the last sequence I shot that first morning. Melisa had to run some errands and dropped me off at racquetball . . . where a few hours later I experienced debilitating pain from my meniscus flipping or folding and tearing. It would wait three years to be “fixed” at the same time as I had my rotator cuff repaired. (Note: new readers can see the worst and most unflattering photo ever taken of me HERE (and that’s saying something) . . . don’t look unless you have a strong stomach and don’t like your eyes.)

The next day, still hobbling, I opted for doing some balloon chasing around Colorado Springs and trying to get decent photos of the balloons against nice backdrops.

Pikes Peak is an obvious one, but so is Cheyenne Mountain.

And the Will Rogers Memorial Shrine of the Sun . . . 

Like I said, 115 photos in the SmugMug Gallery.That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

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