Facing my fear, I decided to take a hot air balloon ride in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After all, Albuquerque is famous for its annual balloon festival.
A Fear of (Open) High Places I’m afraid of heights. Actually, that’s not exactly right. I don’t mind heights as long as I’m in an enclosed space. I don’t have acrophobia. I have aeroacrophobia. Aeroacrophobia is a fear of open high places, such as standing at the top of a mountain or taking a ride in a hot air balloon. Oddly or perhaps appropriately, I’m fascinated by early flight – biplanes and hot air balloons. 
There’s a lot of “balloon” in a hot air balloon – at least 150,000 cubic feet of ripstop nylon.
When filling up the balloon, you may be asked to help. Hold on tight!
Keep in mind that you’ll be climbing in and out of a wicker basket in the early morning hours.
Bring a small bag (not a backpack) to carry your phone or camera. Wear long casual pants, closed-toe shoes, and dress in layers. 
The only occasional warmth comes from the hot flames that burst into the balloon envelope itself.
The balloon went as high as 1,500 feet in the air, floating above the cottonwood trees and the Rio Grande.
We saw the reflections and shadows of other hot air balloons in flight over the Rio Grande River.
The moment had come. It’s one thing to look at the scenery and take photos as if you’re not 1,500 feet off the ground. It’s another thing to look down. I needed to look down.
Peering over the edge of the basket, my breath caught. It was exciting. It was beautiful. In that moment, I wasn’t scared. 
While a balloon ride – with a top speed of 6 miles per hour – is not like driving a car, our pilot did impress us with his ability to land the balloon gently within a parking space at an empty strip mall.
Rainbow Ryders offers balloon rides in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Phoenix, Arizona; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Park City, Utah. Also, you can choose a professional balloon operator from the Balloon Federation of America. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held each October. If you really love hot air balloons, visit the Albuquerque Balloon Museum. Since watching The Wizard of Oz at the age of 5, I imagined that riding in a hot air balloon would be fun. I was right. Looking for another adventure? Try tidal bore rafting. See more Places to Go: Millicent Rogers Museum Authentic Native American Jewelry Jane Austen House Lacock Abbey England Cape Cod Lavender Farm Harwich 
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