Only in New Mexico

As New Mexicans, we have moments where we smile and say to ourselves, “only in New Mexico”. Whether you have lived here for a month or your entire life, there are just some things that you see here that would not happen elsewhere.

I had one of those moments this past week as I read a reputable news source (KKOB) story about a hot air balloon causing maybe the tallest man-made structure in our state, the KKOB radio tower, to come tumbling down.

For those reading out of state, yes, you read the previous sentence correctly. No need to adjust your glasses.

But, that wasn’t even the “only in New Mexico” part. In the KKOB story, here was the sentence that put this over the top:

“A woman who saw the balloon crash, said it was the blue balloon with the moon on it that had the accident.”

Yes, for those New Mexicans and out-of-staters, you read that sentence correctly. 

I am imagining the police officer called to the scene.

Officer: Ma’am, you say it was a blue balloon that caused this to happen, huh?

Lady: Yes, officer. It was so traumatic [sniffle]. I am struggling to remember anything else [sniffle, sips her pinon flavored coffee and takes a bite of her Golden Pride #1 burrito].

Officer: Ma’am, it’s going to be okay. There are other radio towers still left un-harmed. You will still be able to get your news. Now, please please…try to remember anything else about the “suspect”.

Lady: Well [sniffle]……..now that I think about it [sniffle], I think there was a…moon on the blue balloon [sniffle]. Yes, there was a moon on it.”

Officer: That really helps us ma’am. Would you be willing to come down to the station to identify this balloon in a line of potential suspects?

 

The next sentence in the article was an “only in New Mexico” sentence as well:

“It was the Smokey Bear balloon that crashed into that same tower array 20 years ago yesterday.”

I hope this makes you smile this morning, and makes you think of a few of your favorite “only in New Mexico” moments. Share those as comments to this blog!

 

Hot Air Balloon Strikes KKOB Tower

Posted on October 11, 2024

A hot air balloon knocked down one of KKOB’s AM radio towers this morning. No one was hurt when balloon caused the guy wires to fail, sending the structure crumbling to the ground around 8:45 AM. A woman who saw the balloon crash, said it was the blue balloon with the moon on it that had the accident. It was the Smokey Bear balloon that crashed into that same tower array 20 years ago yesterday, forcing a pilot and child to climb down the tower to safety.