Laugh With Us Blog

Family, food, and travel!

  • Home
  • Family
    • My Man
    • Kids
      • Faith
      • Joy
      • Grace
      • Little Jason
      • Bobby
    • Homeschooling
    • Parenting
    • Marriage
    • Funny
  • Food
  • Travel
    • Alaska
    • Arizona
    • California
    • Cruising
    • Florida
    • Indiana
    • Israel
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Minnesota
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • Oklahoma
    • Texas
  • Contact
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Promotional

Gallup Hot Air Balloon Ride Experience

I opened my email and saw the question. Did I want to participate in a hot air balloon ride in Gallup, New Mexico? For me, there was no hesitation. A thousand times, yes! It would be a dream to be able to ride a hot air balloon, but to also see the gorgeous Gallup, New Mexico terrain from the ride was doubly exciting!

Gallup New Mexico True hot air balloon

My hot air balloon ride in Gallup, New Mexcio was hosted as a part of the Travel Media Showcase Family Travel Conference. All opinions are my own.

It was only after my affirmation and in talking about the upcoming trip, did I realize people had a fear of riding in hot air balloons. I’ve never wanted to sky dive or do crazy things like that, but I didn’t put hot air balloons on the same level. It never seemed scary to me.

My Gallup Hot Air Balloon Experience

Gallup Hot Air Balloon Truck

Set up

Bill Lee owner of X-Treme-Lee Fun Balloon Adventures was our guide and pilot. I found out that anyone with a hot air balloon can take you on a ride, but you may want to dig a little deeper into a person’s credentials before climbing aboard. Bill Lee is a licensed hot air balloon pilot!

On this particular adventure, I had the opportunity to participate in the full ballooning experience. It was so much more than “just a ride.”

Gallup Hot Air Set Up

Our journey began at Red Rock Park in Gallup. First thing on the agenda was to test the wind. Two regular balloons were let go, and we watched to see what they would do in the wind. Of course, their journey meant nothing to me, but the pilots gained much information about the wind and what to expect that day.

Next, we helped take the balloon out of the truck, spread tarps on the ground to protect the balloon, and then spread the balloon out ready to be blown up—NOT! You don’t blow up a hot air balloon.

Gallup Hot Air New Mexico True

You do, however fill it with air. For this, a large fan was used.

Gallup Inside Hot Air Balloon set up

It was fascinating to see the hot air balloon begin to fill with air and lift off the ground.

Gallup New Mexico Hot Air Balloon Set up
Gallup Firing up hot air balloon

Then came the heat! I was constantly amazed throughout the experience at how the fire and heat fuels the balloon without damaging it. There is so much science there, my boys would love to understand the ends and outs of it.

Gallup Hot Air Balloon Ready to Ride

And just like that, our New Mexico True balloon was ready for lift off!

Gallup New Mexico True hot air balloon

Chasing and Riding my Gallup Hot Air Balloon

There was a large group of us who were going to ride, so I was able to watch as the first few lifted off. The balloon just gently floated up in the air. It was so cool!

Then we ran, jumped in a truck, and chased the balloon. Depending on wind, our guides judged about where they thought the balloon would land.

I was so excited for my turn!! We were talking as we began to lift off, and it was so gentle, I couldn’t hardly feel any difference. It was almost surprising to look up, and see we were so high in the sky!

Gallup Hot air Balloon from the air

Four pilots took people up in balloons that day. It was beautiful see the other balloons from the air as well as the gorgeous Red Rocks.

Gallup Hot Air Balloon Views
Gallup Hot Air Balloon Rides
Gallup Hot Air Balloon Ride Scenery
Gallup Hot Air Balloon Rides at Church Rock
Gallup New Mexico True hot air balloon

Our ride took us so close to the rocks that we could touch them! The balloon would float up and over and then down the other side!

Gallup Real True Hot Air Ballooon

It was wonderful! Next it was someone else’s turn to ride, and I went back to chasing the balloon.

Gallup Hot Air Balloon Rides from Church Rock
Gallup New Mexcio True Balloon landing
Gallup Hot Air Balloon Take Down

Take Down

When all of us had taken our rides, it was time to take the balloon down. We went through the same process as setting it up, except in reverse of course. It was great fun and a challenge to get all the air out of the balloon to be able to load it back in the box and put it on the truck.

Gallup, New Mexico Hot Air Balloon Experience

Start to finish is was an amazing bucket list adventure that I highly recommend!

For more Gallup, New Mexico adventures see: Gallup Real True.

Esther

Related Posts

  • My Son’s Newfound Love of TrainsMy Son’s Newfound Love of Trains
  • Star Wars Cereal and $25 Walmart Giftcard GiveawayStar Wars Cereal and $25 Walmart Giftcard Giveaway
  • Double Chocolate Banana Bread RecipeDouble Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
  • Date with my SonDate with my Son
  • You’re doing…what?You’re doing…what?
  • Thanksgiving FeastThanksgiving Feast

23 Comments Filed Under: New Mexico, Travel Tagged: Adventure, Hot Air Balloon

Comments

  1. Amber Myers says

    September 13, 2019 at 4:08 pm

    Oh my gosh, how cool! I’m afraid of heights so I’m not sure if this is for me, but I sure love looking at hot air balloons.

    Reply
    • EstherIrish says

      September 16, 2019 at 2:25 pm

      There was a lady in our group that was afraid of heights. It was a challenge for her. She was shaking! But when it was over, she was glad she had done it. Either way they are beautiful!

      Reply
  2. Melissa Chapman says

    September 13, 2019 at 4:50 pm

    It seems like an amazing experience and you showed us a great lesson in ballooning. I can see that it pays to have a licensed professional and top notch organization when you take this trip.

    Reply
    • EstherIrish says

      September 16, 2019 at 2:26 pm

      Yes! I felt so much safer knowing he knew what he was doing, and had the license to prove it. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Sarah Bailey says

    September 13, 2019 at 6:27 pm

    Now this sounds like an incredible experience. I have been up in a balloon but it was tried down so just took us up and down, I would love to actually go on a trip that would be amazing. I bet the views were amazing

    Reply
    • EstherIrish says

      September 16, 2019 at 2:26 pm

      The views were incredible! I hope you get to go!!

      Reply
  4. Alli says

    September 13, 2019 at 6:48 pm

    Oh, what fun! I love watching colorful hot air balloons soaring in the sky. I’ve never had the opportunity to ride in one but I’d love to.

    Reply
  5. Theresa says

    September 13, 2019 at 8:36 pm

    I am terrified of heights, so I don’t think I could do a hot air balloon ride, but boy do I sure love watching them from the ground. It sounds like it was an incredible experience for you to go up and float through the air in one though!

    Reply
  6. Catalina says

    September 14, 2019 at 5:13 am

    This should be a unique experience for real! But I don’t know if I have the courage to do that!

    Reply
  7. Lynndee says

    September 14, 2019 at 9:01 am

    Those hot air balloons are adorable. I have never experienced it before, but I would like to one of these days with my boys, of course.

    Reply
    • EstherIrish says

      September 16, 2019 at 2:27 pm

      I do want to do it again with the kids. I know they would love it.

      Reply
  8. Kelli A says

    September 14, 2019 at 9:29 am

    I’ve been inside a hot air balloon while it was on the ground, but never up in the air. I want to.. but I don’t want to at the same time! lol We have them every year here at the town carnival. 15 yrs and still never got the guts to do it yet lol

    Reply
    • EstherIrish says

      September 16, 2019 at 2:28 pm

      I hear ya. I have that feeling at ziplines. I’ve done it, but it’s so hard to let go the first time.

      Reply
  9. Ashley says

    September 14, 2019 at 12:20 pm

    This is so cool! I would love to experience this for myself one day.

    Reply
  10. Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers says

    September 14, 2019 at 1:19 pm

    What a cool experience for you and your family. I’ve always wanted to go on a hot air ballon ride and maybe one day I can fulfill that bucket list item.

    Reply
    • EstherIrish says

      September 16, 2019 at 2:28 pm

      I hope you do. It was so worth it!

      Reply
  11. Rosemary says

    September 14, 2019 at 2:42 pm

    How fun…that is something I’d really love to do. Agree, not keen on sky diving, but going up a hot air balloon is something I’d love. Sounds like you were in safe hands and a great time. Much fun!

    Reply
  12. Shelley Webb says

    September 15, 2019 at 2:29 am

    Sounds like a fun experience from start to finish. Balloons look so peaceful from the ground, but the view!

    Reply
  13. Ruth I says

    September 15, 2019 at 5:17 am

    Wow. That is an amazing experience! I am not sure if I could handle it tho, fear of heaights will ruin it. ha! But the view would be so awesome up there!

    Reply
  14. Rena says

    September 15, 2019 at 9:19 am

    I actually was able to witness this one year just traveling through. I remember pulling over to the side of the road and watching in awe of the beauty. The sun was just coming up and it was gorgeous!!!

    Reply
    • EstherIrish says

      September 16, 2019 at 2:29 pm

      Yes! It was so much fun!

      Reply
  15. keikilani says

    September 17, 2019 at 12:22 pm

    What an exciting adventure! I would love to go in a hot air balloon someday. The balloon itself is so gorgeous.

    Reply
  16. Fatima Torres says

    September 19, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    This seems like an interesting experience to have in your life. Honestly, I applaud anyone who would get on a hot-air balloon ride.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi! We believe laughter is the best medicine. Join in with us as we share our family laughs, fun with food, and love of travel. Great to meet you! Esther Irish




Favorite Posts

  • 25 Random Things About Me
  • The Hardest Year of My Life
  • Joy's Christmas Concert
  • My Bright Idea
  • Losing My Baby
  • A Bug in My Shirt
  • Why I don't fly with kids

Archives

© 2010 - 2023 · All rights reserved by Esther Irish · Privacy Policy · Log in

Copyright © 2023 · Laugh With Us Blog on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in