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07-29-2006, 01:41 PM
Hot Air Gets Hotter At White Sands Balloon Fest
By Alamogordo Reporter
© 2006 SoNewMex.com - Reprint Permission Granted
The 16th Annual "White Sands Balloon Invitational" event is set for Sep. 16-17, 2006, near Alamogordo and will feature 80 to 100 balloons. Launches are scheduled for 7:00 a.m. over White Sands National Monument and various locations around Alamogordo. But it's best to arrive earlier than that. Many will be out before dawn helping to prepare the balloons for liftoff. Weather permitting, a "Balloon Glow" is scheduled for Saturday evening at dusk. It typically features 12-15 balloons.
http://sonewmex.com/images/whitesandsballoon2.jpg
The White Sands Invitational grows larger each year in strength, numbers of balloons, colors and attendance. Over two days, dozens and dozens of balloons are filled with hot air to rise slowly and float over White Sands and the Tularosa valley. Even If you don't own a balloon, watching them in the sky is an incredible visual delight.
The Tularosa valley marks the north end of the Chihuahuan Desert. In the middle of the valley are huge dunes of stark white gypsum sand that have washed or blown down from the mountains west of the valley over millions of years. To date, they have consumed 275 square miles of the valley to create the world's largest gypsum dunes. In another few million years they may even gobble up Alamogordo. So if you tend to worry about such things, you may want to take along a shovel or two. :rolleyes: Seeing them is a strange experience and they are considered sacred by many.
The dunes change shape constantly as they are moved by the strong southwesterly winds. Each time you visit, White Sands has something new to offer. The harsh environment means even plants and animals that are well adapted to the desert must struggle just to survive in this area. Only a few plant species manage to grow fast enough to survive burial by the ever-shifting sands. Interestingly, several varieties of desert animals have managed to evolve a white coloration that helps them hide in the white sand.
Needless to say, the contrast of the stark white dunes and colorful balloons provides a rare chance for some great photography too. So, for heaven's sake, don't forget your camera!
White Sands National Monument is located 15 miles west of Alamogordo on US Highway 70. Balloon Glow location: TBA. Fee: Regular admission fees apply at White Sands National Monument.
http://sonewmex.com/images/whitesandsballoon4.jpg
For more info, visit www.Alamagordo.com/activites/balloon.html (http://www.alamogordo.com/activites/balloon.html) or call Pat Raub: 437-3500 / 437-0123, Ed Brabson: 434-2600, or Alamogordo Chamber at 800-826-0294.
Photo Credit: www.alamogordo.com (http://www.alamogordo.com/) Our thanks to the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce for providing these great photos
By Alamogordo Reporter
© 2006 SoNewMex.com - Reprint Permission Granted
The 16th Annual "White Sands Balloon Invitational" event is set for Sep. 16-17, 2006, near Alamogordo and will feature 80 to 100 balloons. Launches are scheduled for 7:00 a.m. over White Sands National Monument and various locations around Alamogordo. But it's best to arrive earlier than that. Many will be out before dawn helping to prepare the balloons for liftoff. Weather permitting, a "Balloon Glow" is scheduled for Saturday evening at dusk. It typically features 12-15 balloons.
http://sonewmex.com/images/whitesandsballoon2.jpg
The White Sands Invitational grows larger each year in strength, numbers of balloons, colors and attendance. Over two days, dozens and dozens of balloons are filled with hot air to rise slowly and float over White Sands and the Tularosa valley. Even If you don't own a balloon, watching them in the sky is an incredible visual delight.
The Tularosa valley marks the north end of the Chihuahuan Desert. In the middle of the valley are huge dunes of stark white gypsum sand that have washed or blown down from the mountains west of the valley over millions of years. To date, they have consumed 275 square miles of the valley to create the world's largest gypsum dunes. In another few million years they may even gobble up Alamogordo. So if you tend to worry about such things, you may want to take along a shovel or two. :rolleyes: Seeing them is a strange experience and they are considered sacred by many.
The dunes change shape constantly as they are moved by the strong southwesterly winds. Each time you visit, White Sands has something new to offer. The harsh environment means even plants and animals that are well adapted to the desert must struggle just to survive in this area. Only a few plant species manage to grow fast enough to survive burial by the ever-shifting sands. Interestingly, several varieties of desert animals have managed to evolve a white coloration that helps them hide in the white sand.
Needless to say, the contrast of the stark white dunes and colorful balloons provides a rare chance for some great photography too. So, for heaven's sake, don't forget your camera!
White Sands National Monument is located 15 miles west of Alamogordo on US Highway 70. Balloon Glow location: TBA. Fee: Regular admission fees apply at White Sands National Monument.
http://sonewmex.com/images/whitesandsballoon4.jpg
For more info, visit www.Alamagordo.com/activites/balloon.html (http://www.alamogordo.com/activites/balloon.html) or call Pat Raub: 437-3500 / 437-0123, Ed Brabson: 434-2600, or Alamogordo Chamber at 800-826-0294.
Photo Credit: www.alamogordo.com (http://www.alamogordo.com/) Our thanks to the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce for providing these great photos