Splash and Dash are when pilots land their balloons in the Rio Grande and then take off again. The river is low enough right now that the gondolas can sit on the bottom of the river since there are only a few inches of water in most places. When the river is running higher, they truly “splash and dash”, or they risk getting carried away by the current if they linger in a higher, fast-flowing current. In 2015 one balloonist hit the water like a Kamikaze. You can see the post at https://photos.tandlphotos.com/blog/2015/10/splash-down. Today the pilots mostly sat their gondolas in the swallows for a few minutes before taking off again. Several balloons splashed in more than one location. The 5-minute video below shows balloons floating in for their splashes and dashes.
Off Center & Not Even 
Love all of it. I’m going to share the YouTube. Of course I liked the bird riding in the morning mist!
🙂
Thanks, Susan.
rising, rising in the morning mist…:)
This is so awesome! Incredible sights and vibrant colors. A perspective we did not see when we were there. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Michele. The river has to be running low to get that perspective. In 2015 I waded out to the middle of the river and stood on a tiny sand bar and in ankle deep water to get those picks. The river is usually running much higher than those two years.
Very cool! Many adventures out your door. 😃
It’s nice since I haven’t gone anywhere besides work since November 2019.
Ha! Thank goodness you can escape to the great outdoors. 😍 The best escape!
What fun! I’ve never see the animal shaped balloons before. 🙂
They have a lot of them. Thanks, Gigi.
So colourful and lovely! 😍
Thanks, Sam.
This does require precise helmsmanship. Great to see this video !
Also beautiful pictures of the different balloons.
Thanks, Rudi. The pilots are good and navigation their ballons.
A fantastic ballloon show and a nice little story besides.
Thanks, Heidi. I’m happy you liked them.
Gorgeous!
Thanks, Katie & Evee .
Oh… this is wonderful!! Love the video too. Seems like a doggy also did a ‘splash & dash’!!!
Tristan and dr. Komadina were very fortunate! 😉
Talk about the weather cooperatiing. There were two or three doggies splashing about besides the happy puppy balloon. Thanks, Marina.
Well, the conspiracy expands!!!
Smart pups!!
Lovely post. So interesting to hear more about this too. The misty pic os gorgeous.
Thanks, Shey.
your photos are amazing!
Thanks, Flo.
Wow! You got some great footage, Tim! I hadn’t heard of splash and dash, before, how cool!
Thanks, Tiffany. It might be singlular to New Mexico.
ciao Timothy
Ciao Simona.
Such gorgeous photos, full of vibrance and joy.
Thanks, Imelda.
I enjoyed seeing all the balloons, especially the flying pig. 🙂
Fun, fun, fun!!! I love your top picture..
Thanks, YellowCable.
Great fun Timothy and the splashing dog thought so too❣️
Dogs love splashing more than balloonists I would say. Thanks, Cindy.
That first image really drew me in. Very mystical. I love it. Then I scroll down and see the most incredible selection of balloons and colours. Fascinating. Thank you, Timothy.
Thanks, Lizzy.
The splash and dash was the coolest part of the fiesta! I don’t see my elephant though.
It was not out that day. I don’t remember seeing it right off hand. Thanks, Teri.
Yep that green dragon is my favorite as well. Amazing scenes – captured expertly.
Thanks, Brian.
Great shots, Tim!
It’s wonderful how creative people get with their balloons.
Love it!
Hi Resa. A lot of creativity going into making the balloons. The Wells Fargo stagecoach balloon was not here this year. My sister said she was talking to the pilot who used to fly the Wells Fargo Stagecoach balloon. Wells Fargo ended its ballooning program, and they destroyed the balloon because it’s a trademark. Really sad. You can see the balloon in the fourth photo at https://wp.me/p1yQyy-hC.
Wow Tim … ! Your photography is amazing! What a spectacle ..! Which balloon was your favourite? Thanks for sharing ..
Thanks. Julie. I really don’t have a favorite balloon, but I am partial to the giant cow balloon, which did fly where I could see it this year.