Amarillo Invitational Balloon Rally
"Pirates of the Canyon"

Amarillo Invitational Balloon Rally

http://aibr.balloonamarillo.org
http://www.balloonamarillo.org
Fred B Rabbit
Palo Duro Canyon State Park

In 2006, Chris Jones of Amarillo, Texas re-started the Amarillo Invitational Balloon Rally. Most of the activity was at the Tradwinds Airport in the South East corner of town. The high-lite of the event was the Sunday morning flight from Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Flying in this rough terrain is not easy. The winds have to be right, or you will end up in areas with abosolutely no access. You have to pay attention to details like having enough watter for everyone on board, because if your crew can't get to you quickly, it is high-dry desert, and you can dehydrate quickly. Chris Jones organized a great flight, with all of the safety precautions needed. I look forward to going to this festival for years to come.
We flew Fred B. Rabbit Hot Air Balloon at this rally to honor Rusty & BK Elwell who flew in Amarillo for years and were the original owners of Fred B Rabbit. Rusty and BK both passed away the summer of 2006.
In 2007, the rally continued with 21 balloons, much more publicity, and a lot more spectators.

Palo Duro Canyon Flight, 2007 Pirates of the Canyon
Sunday October 28 20 balloons flew from the canyon Sunday Morning The canyon was overflowing with spectators.
Wings of Wind right after takeoff
Several Balloons down in the canyon

Boxed back to where we took off
Starting to head out of the canyon, towards Amarillo

Saturday October 27 Several balloons flew across town Saturday evening

Friday October 26 12 balloons flew from the canyon Friday Morning




Palo Duro Canyon Flight, Sunday October 29, 2006
Keith Sproul / Fred B Rabbit and Joe Jones / Quadnickel about to take off (Picture by Gene Bitner)

Quadnickel and Fred B Rabbit right after take off (Picture by Gene Bitner)

The rest of the pictures taken by Debbie Sproul from Fred B Rabbit/



Joe Jones / Quadnickel as the sun peaks over the cliff








Rick Schmidt / Snaggletooth lifting off




Once you leave the Canyon, there is nothing for miles


Shawdow of Fred B Rabbit, shortly before landing