Photo of the Day: Albuquerque Hot Air Balloons

Two months in and still going strong, our 2009 Dream Trip Contest has had more than 11,000 entries so far. For inspiration for your own entry, and a chance to win a $25,000 vacation to wherever you choose, read our take on a submission that caught our eye:

Dream Trip entrant Cpriaulx shot this colorful, buoyant image during a cross-country journey that included a stop at the celebrated Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, a road trip that ultimately turned Cpriaulx onto a new hobby.

"After this trip I purchased a pick-up truck so I could get into this branch of aviation," Cpriaulx writes in the Dream Trip entry "Up, Up, and Away". "A balloon ride should be on everyone's to-do list. Balloon folks are a special breed of people. Fun loving and full of life, and they want to share it all with you.

"The balloons come to Albequerque every October," Cpriaulx advises. "Make your plans now!"

Source

Balloon ride is a part of Albuquerque sweepstakes

In the new animated film "Up," a balloon salesman ties 1,000 helium-filled balloons to his house in search of adventure.

The plot inspired the country's ballooning capital, Albuquerque, N.M., to offer a high flying adventure of its own: a trip for two to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest hot air ballooning event, Oct. 3-11.

More than 600 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes take part in the annual festival, now in its 38th year.

The Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau is sponsoring the sweepstakes, where the prize includes two nights at Nativo Lodge (Oct. 5-7), admission to the fiesta, a balloon ride for two with Rainbow Ryders, a $200 Visa card you can use toward transportation costs, admission to the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum and a Flip camera to video your trip.

Go to itsatrip.org/balloonfiesta to enter the contest. For details about this year's festival, go to balloonfi esta.com. Information about Albuquerque can be found at itsatrip.org.

Source