By now you may have seen them floating through the sky or celebrating at the Days Inn hotel. And while this tight-knit group is enthusiastic to share their passion with the public, there was a deeper note to their festivities.
A talented pilot and beloved member of their unofficial hot air balloon family, Nicholas Meleski, died in June after a hot air balloon accident.
He flew all over — even as far as Taiwan.
“It broke my heart in a million pieces,” said event organizer Cookie See. “He was tremendous. He’s known all over the world.”
She worked with Cortez local Lan Degeneres to create bandanas the group could wear to commemorate him.
“We all loved him so much,” she said.
She acknowledged such risks can come with flying.
“That’s part of balloon life,” she said. “It doesn’t always work out the way you think.”
Much like life in general, her friend said.
Several spoke fondly in his memory, devastation evident in their expressions.
The flyers have a sense of humor, though.
Zetroc, or Cortez backward, as he is known, was present for the weekend celebrations.
The smiling skeleton was there as a nod to Meleski, said flyer friend Chris Foy.
Despite the collective feeling of loss, See wanted this weekend (and this story) to be happy.
And it was.
The energy in the air at Parque de Vida was infectious.
Each attendee was touched by the hot air balloon magic in some way.
For instance, it has always been on Ina Tinsley’s bucket list to experience hot air balloons.
Her family visiting from Richmond, Virginia, placed the event on their vacation itinerary.
That years-long dream was finally fulfilled in Cortez.
“I could never find anyone who was willing to go,” she said. “It’s just exciting to be here.”
Her family volunteered as stand-in balloon crew members, elated to be a part of the rally in any form.
The Rendezvous was a gathering of flyers taking part in a centuries-old sport steeped in tradition. Many of them have flown for decades, and meet throughout the West.
After the balloons landed Saturday morning, the celebration continued at the hotel.
“It was rowdy back in the day,” said Chris Foy. “Beer and dirt.”
This reporter’s day began with a first flight with pilot Glenn See aboard Itszee. As we slipped from the ground, a hint of nervousness quickly faded as Itszee climbed into the hazy sky, rising with a pink sun.
On the ground, children screamed “Hi!” and dogs barked from below as they watched the colorful orbs sway by.
As the bustle of activity below grew more distant, there was a peace in the morning air, and in Itszee’s basket, the assurance and confidence that the flyers bring.
In the air, there is time for stories, about how we arrived together at this moment and what might lie ahead. Afterward, there was time for hugs and lingering, heartfelt handshakes.
