The weekend buzzed by pretty fast, didn’t it? We were hoping for a long cupcake ride, but it was not to be. Saturday started off drizzly and rainy, so that put the kibosh on that plan. Luckily, though, the weather cleared up by the evening and we were able to cycle to the balloon festival. The local airport is about 5.5 miles from our house and that is where they were having the balloons, so we rode there. No parking fee and we get right in to the area.
This is the smaller of the 2 balloon festivals that happen here.
It’s nice that you can get right next to the balloons and be under them when they go up.
The setting sun gave a nice glow to the balloons.
This guy is a Canada/USA balloon. I am not sure what it is or what the company is, but the balloon is fun.
Ladybug was here this year! I love this balloon.
Balloons are just so peaceful to watch. Kind of noisy, though. You hear a constant ‘whoosh’ as they fire the burners.
Sunday was a better weather day. It cooled down a little, which was quite nice. We decided to ride a little longer in the morning. First off was a ride to breakfast! We biked to Coffee Planet for our bagels.
My new pink shirt for biking.
Yummy carby goodness.
We decided just to bike around after breakfast. We actually didn’t even stop and did 20 miles after breakfast before we got home! It’s nice that 25 miles really is an easy ride for us. I remember a few years ago when it was a big deal. It takes a long time to build endurance, but once you have it – it’s fun!
The other item on the agenda was a picnic! My brother-in-law’s birthday is Monday, so we had a picnic today.
We all brought items. My father grilled the burgers.
John presenting the spread:
Time to eat!
Others were swimming, but John and I didn’t feel like swimming. Then we had dessert – strawberry shortcake.
I tell you, John and I don’t have children and it is exhausting being around the nieces LOL! Phew. I am beat.
I need a nap like this!
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…..
LOL on the nieces being exhausting. Ah yes, I remember it well.
Love the balloon fest. There used to be one that would start very early in the morning (6am) on my way to work. I loved seeing them.
Love how 25 miles is nothing to you now.
I don’t have kids either and when I’m around my nieces I become exhausted as well. It gives me a huge admiration for my sister and all the other moms out there. I love hot air balloons and was given a balloon ride one year as a birthday gift – very cool (actually quite warm in mid-July, ha).
LOL about the nieces. When my nieces were little they came for sleepovers every now and then and by the time they went home we were exhausted 🙂
I love balloon festivals, it’s been a while since we’ve been to one. I think there’s one in August pretty close by. Going to look into it, maybe we can go again this year.
wow the balloon pics are STUNNING, Lori~
Balloons are amazing! I have never seen that live so lucky you! 🙂
Nice bday spread & I get the kids making you pooped! I have the step kids & grandkids but none ALL THE TIME! 🙂
YES – Pixie sleep would be nice! She is so cute!!!
I’ve always loved your balloon festival pictures. I’d love to see some up close.
Definitely agree that if you aren’t used to little kids, it can be a lot. 4th of July with all the kids scurrying in and out wore ME out!
Great weekend.
Gotta love those balloons, especially the character balloons.
I’ve seen a balloon race take off once and it was amazing! Sounds like a great weekend Lori.
We used to have a baloon launch right near our house – they would be so close to our yard we could have conversations with the passengers – they’d yell “what are you grilling!”
I am with you on little kids, I haven’t been around any for a long time – I had no idea how to handle a two year old anymore!
The nice thing about nieces is we get to spoil them rotten and then send them home with their parents!!!
On my bucket list is a trip to Albuquerque for the “premier” US balloon festival. One of these days…… But this one looks like lots of fun. Would love to know when the other one is.
The other festival is at the end of September. The Adirondack Balloon Festival (imagine that).
You got some really beautiful photos of the balloons.
Thanks! My little point and shoot does a good job, but I was thinking about how much better the shots would be with a really good camera. Saving pennies now.
Those balloons are so cool!
Ooh, I love balloon festivals! I arrived in Albuquerque on the last day of the festival one year, but they’d had to cancel it because of dangerous winds. Still, there were quite a few up the next day and it was beautiful!
Everytime I am around my niece and nephews I am beat too!!
Looks like a terrific weekend you had 🙂 I’ve never seen a real hot air balloon.