Misty mountain hop
Made for a good photo op
Balloons rose nonstop
Sunset
Does anyone remember “Misty Mountain Hop” by Led Zeppelin?
Abstract / Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta / balloons / Bosque / Clouds / Cottonwoods / International Balloon Fiesta / Moon / Rio Grande / Sandias / Sunrise / Sunset / Trees
Misty Mountain Hop
Off Center & Not Even 
I’m surprised you had a balloon launch, but then again not really. With that overcast, it would be no-go for a launch in COS. I don’t remember that Led Zeppelin song at all.
Thanks, David. As long as it’s not too windy and the rain lets up the balloons fly out here. There was little wind so the balloons hung over and near the field all morning.
I always liked that song. I have all Led Zeppelin’s albums from from 1969 to 1979.
Laurie’s cousin is in town. She said Chicago is going to play in Lubbock. She is going to the concert. She said the tickets sold out in ten minutes. I didn’t know Chicago was doing concerts again.
Chicago, what’s left of them, still tour. They’re pretty much still on the outs with Danny Seraphine and Peter Cetera. A respected music critic said Chicago can’t cover their own songs that well.
Cetera retired in Nov 2019 after finishing a tour swing through Europe. He wanted to finish while he was still able to sing. When Cetera retired, he was still good at 77-78.
I graduated from high school in 1974. Of course I remember “Misty Mountain Hop”!
Thanks, Liz. I dropped out of high school in 1975. I always liked the song.
You’re welcome, Tim. I always liked it, too. My brother had the album.
Oh yeah!! Perfect song to go with this fabulous post! Love this version. Robert Plant is still sexy. And talk about a sky full of balloons! Wunderbar!
Plant still has his long curly locks. Page on the other hand has sadly lost his long beautiful hair. I sympathize with Page I lost my long curly locks long ago. My hair is thin and gray. Thanks, Dale.
Jimmy has quite a bit of hair – it’s just snow white! It was a never nice head of hair, to me, though. Robert has been blessed, what can we say?
Some people are blessed. My long hair used to cover up my red neck. But now I’m just a plain old uncovered redneck.
Hahaha!! Right… 😜
Thank you for sharing these with us! You might recall my story of being there years ago and missing out due to wind issues.
YOu are welcome, Michele. I remember you mentioning it. Some years the weather is prefect every day. Other years the weather doesn’t cooperate. The weather is not wanting to cooperate this year.
A spectacular show, Timothy.
Thanks, Roberta.
Magical pic ❤️
Thanks, Meli.
Spectacular pics Tim. What a sight
Thanks, Mirium.
Wonderful shots. Guess it’s rather loud as they go over?
The burners are quite loud. Thanks, Couriers.
Wauw…. so many…. it makes me think at bubbles in a glas of champagne 🙂
Great shots and thanks for sharing.
Balloons are bubbly. Thanks, Rudi.
Lovely show. And the mist just added to it.
Thanks, Shey.
Wow, so viele Ballons. Fantastisch!
Lots and lots of balloons. Thanks, einfachtilda.
Just hard to believe that they launch so many balloons in such a small piece of airspace. Do they ever collide? And, oh yes, I remember that song and every other song they did. (HS 1969, Undergrad years at height of VN)
The balloons run into each other as the launch all the time. As long as they don’t get tangled or collapse the envelopes, they can play bumper balloons with no problems. This post from 2018 gives you an idea of how close they are inflating and launching: https://photos.tandlphotos.com/blog/2018/10/vincent. Thanks, Maj & Sher.
I was going to ask the question about “bumper balloons” as that occurred to me also. Lots of opportunities for these saying “hello” to each other while starting out. Great pictures. I absolutely remember this song, and it was likely part of my…8-track collection.🙂
Thanks, Bruce. There’s a lot of bumping and grinding on the balloon field. I had Led Zeppelin on vinyl, reel-to-reel, 8-track, cassette, CD and now digital. Vinyl and reel-to-reel tape produced the best sound. I have no found memories of 8-track tapes.
Yeah, 8-track was so bizarre. Songs would end in the middle…then roar back to life after silence and a “track change” sound or two. Bizarre.
Then they would stop playing, you would eject the cartridge and pull miles of crumpled tape out of the player.
I remember trying to put the “toothpaste back in the tube” and trying to make them work even though the time of death was already pronounced.
As soon as I say the post title I said ZEPP!!!! Great shots
You know your Led. Thanks, Teri.
These pictures are stunning!
Thanks, Elizabet.
So I asked [you] if I could stay awhile
Over the hills where the spirits fly.. 😉
Misty and lavender!
Merci!
Exactly. Pollock’s Lavender Mist and “…many times I’ve gazed along the open road…” from “Over the Hills and Far Away” come to mind, as well.
Yes!!!!
I enjoyed your photo selection, Tim. The river and mountains are a beautiful lead in. I love the pinkish cast on the water. I remember Led Zeppelin, but not this song. I remember them mostly for “Stairway to Heaven”. The balloons are sort of like that.
Thanks, Lavinia.
Those balloons are soooo cool. Wouldn’t ever catch me riding in one, but a joy to watch as they pass across the sky. Think there is a launch that happens earlier in the year here, but clearly nothing at your level.
Balloons are fun to float around in, but I prefer jets and vehicles that go fast. Thanks, Brian.
Egads! Talk about traffic congestion! The balloons are gorgeous, each in their own way.
Do they ever collide?
I didn’t recognize the title, but I sure remember the song. Thanks Tim!
I love the song. On take off from the field it’s all bumper balloons. Thanks, Resa.
Surprising there aren’t lots of accidents!
There are raely accidents from balloons bumping into each other, but they do crash into other things no and then.
Wow, that was an amazing finale, Tim! So cool and love the song❤️🕺🏼
Thanks, Cindy.
Ahhh I love how many there are!! That’s so much fun. What a gorgeous post my friend
Thanks, LaShelle.
Beautiful background & color captures!
Neat devil, and cool ice cream [chuckling]
I was highly appreciating Misty Mountain Hop when I was 12. That is some amount of decades ago.
They’ve a wide music library shelf space in my heart.
I was 13 years old when I first enjoyed Misty Mountain Hop. We had a lot of hippies with flowers in their hair in those days. Thanks, Dawn.
Also, “Video unavailable”
You probably have to click watch it on YouTube. Video not availble happens quite often with shared video on WP.
I thought I did, but it worked this time. Thanks
The first time is good.
I’m with Dale! Great song, of course I remember it! Top shots Tim
Thanks, Julie.
With regards bumper balloon. I guess you can control the height of a balloon by using the burner. However for direction you are st ths mercy of the wind. Does that mean some “bumps” are inevitable?
Different conditions, yet you still get fantastic shots, Tim!
Thanks, Inchcock.
Yo still impressing me, mate!
Didn’t expect t to see a UK flag in there, Tim.
I got that one for you. Thanks, Inchcock.
I wondered about that, I told Warden Dean when I was shwing them to her. She loved them too!