Southwest Treasures Newsletter- Celebrating the diversity, magic, mystery, culture and history of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah!

October 30, 2025

Hello There Reader

Riding in a hot air balloon had always been on my bucket list, and a few years ago, I finally made it happen. It meant waking up many hours before sunrise because I lived in the tiny town of Cerrillos, NM. I was to meet the Rainbow Ryders crew near Albuquerque. The experience was unforgettable, made even more special because it was a gift from my sweetie, Aaron, who has since passed. I’ll treasure it forever.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

However, if you aren't able to ride in a hot air balloon, you can always attend one. Held each year in early October, the balloon fiesta in Albuquerque is huge, 838,337 people attended in 2024 according to New Mexico True magazine. So, you need to get there early. If you happen to miss this event, the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally at month’s end offers its own kind of enchantment — where I happened to capture a bit of magic.

Taos Mountain Balloon Rally

A few years back, before I called Taos home, a friend and I headed there for the Annual Taos Mountain Balloon Rally. Each year, on the last full weekend of October, dozens of hot air balloons rise into the sky, adding even more brilliance to Taos’s already colorful autumn landscape.

Taos is known for its near-perfect flying conditions, which draw balloonists from across the country. But that particular morning, the winds had other plans. The breezes, often fickle in the high desert, prevented a full mass ascension, and many of the pilots chose to drift further south instead.

One by one, balloons eventually made their way into town, though I have yet to experience the breathtaking sight of a true mass ascension. That evening, however, we were treated to an unexpected delight — the enchanting afterglow.

Where the Seen and Unseen Meet Beneath the Stars

Some say orbs are more than just light — they’re visiting angels. Whatever they are, the most unforgettable part of the event happened the night before, during the Hot Air Balloon Glow.

At dusk, the pilots began inflating their balloons, flames flickering as they played with bursts of propane. Soon, more visitors gathered to watch the magic unfold. If you’re not familiar with orbs, take a look at these photos below and let me know what you think — I managed to capture quite a few on my camera.

At first, I thought it might be raindrops. But then I realized these shimmering little entities seemed to be joining us, as if they too had come to witness the spectacular balloon glow.

Suggested Further Reading on Orbs:

Orbs: The Energy of Life by Penny Rummel

Wishes Fulfilled- Mastering the Art of Manifesting by Dr. Wayne Dyer- many pictures of orbs next to Dr. Wayne as he lectured.

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