1 - Opening Day, Balloons and Moon, X-Country Race and Evening Glow

Opening day begins with a Mass Ascension. This was a particularly beautiful time since the moon was very much a part of the scenary. Late in the day the Americas Challenge Gas Balloon Race launched - 8 gas-filled balloons took off from Alburquerque and flew for 72 hours. Winner: Switzerland - flewing 59 hrs and 3670 miles. The evening capped off with an "Afterglow"

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography

Mass Ascension
Hot air balloons of all shapes, colors and sizes rise en masse over the crisp early Albuquerque morning. Day 1 of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta - and already one balloon is looking around for its pilot. Shot in Albuquerque, NM on October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Mass Ascension
Hot air balloons of all shapes, colors and sizes rise en masse over the crisp early Albuquerque morning. Day 1 of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta - and already one balloon is looking around for its pilot. Shot in Albuquerque, NM on October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Shot in Albuquerque, NM in October 2017. © John Schiller Photography