This time of year, the weather here can be described by the three Cs that are music to a pilot\u2019s ears: Cool, crisp and calm.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why, every November, hot air balloon pilots and their crews head to Yuma for three days of fun at the Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival. Balloons come from throughout\u00a0Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and California.<\/p>\n
The festival, born more than 20 years ago, is one of the most popular and beloved local events hosted by Caballeros de Yuma.<\/p>\n
Balloons will fill the sky over Yuma this year, so hot air balloon lovers should mark their calendars for Nov. 22-24 (See related schedule).<\/p>\n
Organizers say they\u2019re thrilled that this year\u2019s festival will boast 32 balloons. Last year\u2019s event played host to 26 balloons.<\/p>\n
Organizers know that even more balloons will surely mean even more spectators, which the\u00a0Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival certainly has no trouble attracting.<\/p>\n
\u201cEl presidente\u201d of Caballeros de Yuma,\u00a0Rob Filbey, said the early-morning launches are always an especially big hit with the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great way to start the day,\u201d\u00a0Filbey said. \u201cYou can get right next to the balloon as it is inflated and then watch it go up and join the other colorful balloons as they float across the countryside.\u201d<\/p>\n
But if the view from the ground looking up is beautiful, how must everything look from the sky? Yuma-based pilot Matt Paulin assures us that getting to stand in his basket and see fellow balloonists glide over Yuma\u2019s beautiful landscape thrills him every time.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see everything from up there. It\u2019s absolutely incredible!\u201d Paulin said. \u201cYou have got all the fields in their subsequent rectangles, the Colorado River, Mexico, the sand dunes. You can see everything up there. You can see the entire Yuma Valley from one vantage point.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking of the river, that\u2019s one view that Paulin likes to see surprisingly up close, considering he\u2019s piloting a massive hot air balloon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love to do what\u2019s called a splash and dash into the river, where you dip the basket into the river,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s probably my favorite thing to do in Yuma – at least in a hot air balloon.\u201d<\/p>\n
To find out where you can find the balloons this year, check out the list of events.<\/p>\n