Balloon Fiesta: Diamonds, Dirigibles, and Other Diversions Professional Review and Guide

"What was once a barren foothill informally known as Rattlesnake Mesa is now an oasis for golf, baseball, and an international balloon fiesta. Running alongside these new fields of green is a concrete conduit that protects the city from rare but severe floods while providing a major thoroughfare for nonmotorized traffic.

For the scenic route, venture beyond the end of the paved trail and loop back with a walk down an eccentric stretch of Edith Blvd. Or take the shortcut and still hit most of the highlights, the first (and best) of which is the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Give yourself an extra hour for their multimedia exhibits on espionage, atmospheric monitoring, space exploration, and other amazing things balloons can do."

--Stephen Ausherman, Walking Albuquerque (Wilderness Press).