Friday, Aug 6, 2021 9:55 AMUpdated Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 5:54 PM
The Stars and Stripes balloon inflates on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Annual rally kicks off Friday morning amid fast-changing winds
And they are off!
The first hot air balloon to launch at this year’s Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally swept into the air just after 7 a.m. Friday.
Even though unpredictable winds at Parque de Vida delayed takeoff and discouraged some participants from flying, amazement persisted in the eyes of onlookers, as the colorful vessels became engorged, many tumbling into the air with the glow of the rising sun.
Hot and cold air mixed as flames ignited to bring the balloons to life.
This year’s event, which includes 17 balloons, follows a pandemic cancellation last year.
The setback did not sway longtime flight enthusiast and Cortez resident Orly Lucero.
“When Mother Nature talks, there’s no use in fighting it,” he said.
Pilot Sheri White inflates the Touchstone hot air balloon on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Mandy Avis’ daughters, Ann and Deseray, were bursting with anticipation Friday morning after missing out last year.
“I’m just excited to be a part of it again,” Avis said. “It’s a great community, and it’s a lot of fun.”
After watching the balloons for years, she and her daughters became a part of the local Truly balloon crew.
“How many 12- and 13-year-olds can say, ‘Hey, we’re part of a balloon crew?’” she said.
Pilot, Sheri White, inflates the Touchstone hot air balloon on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Stars and Stripes balloon inflates on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Balloons begin taking off on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally in Parque de Vida. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Balloons begin taking off on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally in Parque de Vida. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Balloons begin taking off on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally in Parque de Vida. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Balloons begin taking off on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally in Parque de Vida. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A hot air balloon floats across Main Street on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A hot air balloon floats across Main Street on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A hot air balloon floats on Friday morning south of Cortez during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Balloons begin taking off on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally in Parque de Vida. Seventeen balloons are participating in this years rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Balloons begin taking off on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally in Parque de Vida. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Balloons begin taking off on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally in Parque de Vida. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Balloons begin taking off on Friday morning and chase crews close behind during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally in Parque de Vida. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A hot air balloon floats south of Cortez on Friday morning with Mesa Verde National Park in the background during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A hot air balloon floats south of Cortez on Friday morning with Mesa Verde National Park in the background during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald08-06-21- Cortez- A hot air balloon floats south west of Cortez on Friday morning with Sleeping Ute Mountain in the background during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A hot air balloon floats south of Cortez on Friday morning with the La Plata Mountains in the background during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A hot air balloon floats south of Cortez on Friday morning with the La Plata Mountains in the background during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A hot air balloon lands on Friday morning in front of a house south of Cortez during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Warren Lowe holds a line to the Stars and Stripes as it inflates on Friday morning during the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally in Parque de Vida. Seventeen balloons are participating in this year’s rally. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The event draws people from throughout the West.
Marilyn Wallace, a native of Santa Monica, California, thought the 12-hour drive was worth it to soar for the first time in Cortez.
After 39 years of flying, she still gets a rush each time she becomes a speck in the sky.
Her answer to what she was most excited about this weekend?
“Flying,” she said.
For her, it’s as simple as that.
The event promises the joy of becoming airborne. For some, it goes even deeper.
One woman planned to spread her mother’s ashes while flying just under 1,000 feet Saturday, said Rendezvous maestro Cookie See.
It’s a tight-knit and laid-back group. Many travel to the same events.
The flyers stayed in the same hotel in Cortez as in previous years.
“We get to still party,” said See. “She (the owner) doesn’t mind as long as we don’t take our clothes off.”
You can catch sight of the balloons this weekend in Cortez, with morning flights about 6:30 a.m. Saturday and a balloon glow at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
A balloon prepares for the first launch of the Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon on Rally Friday morning at Parque de Vida. (Kala Parkinson)
