Phil and Sue went to the Lake Havasu balloon festival last year when they were here in Quartzsite and wanted to know if we wanted to go with them this year. Sure. We wanted to check out the Lake Havasu area and who doesn’t like balloons.
Hot air balloons are usually flown in the early morning hours or evening for the most favorable wind currents. First light is around 7:30 am which meant if we wanted a parking spot and to be there for the first balloon we had to leave camp around 5:00 am.
We counted about 50 or so balloons that launched during the 3 hour show. The balloon launches were spread out enough that we had a chance to see all of them, despite several launch areas around the lake.
Below are some of my favorite balloons. I used this event mostly as a 3-hour get-to-know-our-new-camera session.
I thought of my purple loving friend Diana when I saw this balloon.
After the balloons were done “ballooning” we took a short stroll to see the actual London Bridge. Shipped brick by brick from England to America.
On our way back home a Walmart run was in order so we took a little detour through the town of Parker before going shopping.
Lake Havasu is formed from the Parker Dam that, after seeing the Hoover Dam, was a bit anti-climatic.
To up the ante, this area boasts wild burros. Used during mining efforts in the 1800’s, the burros, brought from North African desert area, were turned loose. Given the desert area of Parker, the little burros have flourished.
Isn’t she/he just adorable?
