Sacrificing sleep for a spectacular show

In a move completely out of character, I was up way before sunrise on Sept. 6 in order to witness dawn patrol at the Great Reno Balloon Race.

During a recent girl's night out, a couple of friends convinced me it was worth the wake to see the spectacular early morning show. So at the ripe old hour of 3:15 a.m., I was creeping around trying to get dressed in the dark without waking the rest of the house.

I had mentioned the event to Sam the evening before, so he was pretty easy to rustle out of bed. I assumed he'd sleep in the car on the way there. Yeah, that didn't happen.

My friend Karen showed up promptly at 3:45 a.m. with her two sons in tow. The boys were all quite animated during the ride to Reno and we had fun gazing at the stars and keeping a lookout for owls.

We parked in a lot adjacent to Rancho San Rafael Park and started a trek in the dark toward the huge open field. The trip was made somewhat easier by the mass of people headed the same way and I recall being rather startled by the volume of other folks crazy enough to be up at that hour.

We heard an announcer welcome everyone to the race. It was fun and a little eerie to hear this booming voice float through the darkness, and it was impossible not to get caught up in the excitement around us.

Suddenly, five balloons lit up, their massive forms aglow against the cool, black morning. We hadn't planned this, but we weren't more than 30 feet from the illuminated line. We could hear the hiss of the burners as propane heated the air within each balloon and see the people inside the gondolas, ready to rise.

The light from the balloons was beautiful, but the glow on the faces of the boys was magic. They were transfixed, hypnotized by the sheer size and breathtaking immensity of what rose before us. We clapped and cheered along with the massive crowd, captivated by the beautiful sight.

As dawn broke, it became apparent just how huge this event actually is. There were balloons and people everywhere. Crews were busy laying out tarps, attaching cables and adjusting burners, with the crowd meandering around them all the while.

How exciting to see the mass ascension launch as we stood in the field with our hands wrapped around cups of hot cocoa. The morning sky was a kaleidoscope as massive balloons floated above us in a slow dance of color and light.

So thank you, Sherrie and Karen, for convincing this typically late-riser that an occasional early morning can contain an unexpected gift. Maybe next year I'll rouse the rest of my family and start an annual tradition of our own.

VFW picnic Saturday

Carson Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars members and guests are invited to a barbecue picnic Saturday at Ranchos Aspen Park on Muir Drive.

The fun gets underway at 10 a.m. Hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments will be served. Attendees may bring a dish to share, if they wish.

For more information or to RSVP, call Commander Jack Nester at 265-3042.

n Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.