The Great Reno Balloon Race 2006

For the past 25 years Reno has hosted The Great Reno Balloon Race. From what I can tell, there isn't a lot of racing going on as hot air balloons aren't exceptionally speedy (or mobile for that matter). The event is more like a festival atmosphere and was much cooler then I expected. Visitors can literally walk onto the field and even help out as racers set up and lift off in their massive balloons. We rousted Zoe out of bed at 4:30am for the dawn patrol and when the sun started peeping over the mountains I took the following picts.



Note to readers, this is a pretty cool event to come out for a weekend and check out! Mid-September in Reno means high 70F temperatures and clear skys...





Here is a kid who is excited to be awake at 5:30am on a weekend

Zoe mimics the giant smiley face on the top of a yellow balloon

6:30am and everyone's getting ready to lift off

Here you can see how a hot air balloon gets its name

Ting and Zoe enjoy the liftoff

Balloons Balloons everywhere in the sky

My necks not getting tired watching this spectacle!

A giant "Jesus" balloon floats towards the heavens (actually this balloon was a little creepy)

Ting and Zoe get ready for their own balloon ride courtesy of ReMax! Zoe can barely peek over the gondola

Zoe and Ting fly away!