Kenneth Wayne Paulk
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Elisa E. Bustamante
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Ken and Elisa |
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Angel in DZ Skies |
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Ken Paulk and Elisa Bustamante co-own 2 Adams ballons. Their first is Angel in DZ Skies an A55, Adams 75,000 cu. ft. "Pop-top" purchased in October 1997 from David and Glenna Arnold from Indiana. Their second Adams balloon is Angel de Milagros y SuenoZ, an A55S, Adams 83,000 cu. ft. �Pop-top� purchased in March of 2001 from Mike Turnipseed from Memphis, Tennessee. Elisa and Ken feel they have been truly blessed by the Angels, as both balloons happened to drop into their hands at the right time.
Both Elisa and Ken are certified to fly as private pilots. Ken obtained his commercial pilot certificate in March of 2001. Both have participated in the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for a number of years serving as Launch Directors (commonly called Zebras after their penchant for wearing clothing containing Zebra stripes.)
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| Elisa and Ken met in Private Pilot Ground School in February 1995. Ken came out to crew for Elisa in her first balloon, Dulcinea. They became good friends and the relationship developed as best friends, favorite playmates, and significant others. The relationship worked well enough that Ken and Elisa decided they would get a balloon together. While shopping around, they started crewing for the Adams Family. They learned and experienced the Adams balloon pop-top for the first time. Word got out that they were looking for a balloon, and then one day Elisa got a call from Sam Baxter. He showed them a picture of the balloon and they knew they had found their Baby! Things happened quickly and smoothly and--as if the angels were watching over them�they cut a deal and received their Adams balloon from a couple in Indiana. The name of the balloon was McGeever! Wanting to stick with tradition of the New Mexico Adams Family, they came up with a new name. Although they had no experience with an Adams system, Elisa says, "The support and reception we received from the entire Adams Family was beyond anything we had ever experienced or could express in words. We were truly blessed to have such a wonderful balloon (Love that pop-top), and to be part of a legacy that lives and flies on. Flying with the Angels is a heavenly experience." In February 2001, they got word of an Adams pop-top 83,000 for sale in Memphis. Once again the Angels had a hand in the works, things fell in place and Janey Jordan and Nita Carle volunteered to drive to Memphis in Ken and Elisa�s truck and brought it home to them. These acts of kindness, love, and generosity are all part of the incredible love, and support that comes from the Adams family.. |
| When Ken and Elisa bought their balloons, they wanted to keep the tradition of the New Mexico Adams Family alive by using an "angel" name. Of course, they would also want to slip a "Z" into the name to maintain their Zebra identity. Through brainstorming, the name "Angel in Disguise" was born. They then decided to misspell that and came up with the name "Angel in DZ Skies". Their 2nd balloon �Angel de Milagros y Suenoz� translates to �Angel of Miracles and Dreams�. Another brainstormer, as they feel that ballooning fulfills many miracles and dreams. Both names represent the legend of the Adams Family, and their "Zebra" family, their feelings for Angels, and the heritage of the NM Hispanic culture |
| Ken and Elisa have an annual tradition, an �After Christmas Take the Xmas Tree Down White Elephant" party at their house where friends and balloonists are invited. The party is usually held somewhere between March and June. Everyone brings their "white elephant" wrapped to disguise the contents. Each person is given a number. The selection starts with the person drawing number one. Then number two has the choice of taking number one's pick or making a pick of their own. This provides quite an entertaining evening, as packages are chosen and taken away at the whim of the next person in line. The gifts can be fun, expensive, creative, X-rated and some will return the following year. |
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Elisa E. Bustamante |
| Elisa is a native New Mexican, born in Roswell, New Mexico on November 29, 1953. She was raised in Roswell and has lived in Portales, NM; El Paso, Texas; Panama (where her daughter was born); Fort Dix, New Jersey; and Frederick, Maryland, before returning to New Mexico. She is currently employed as an Administrative Analyst in the Quality Division of Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and Technologies/NM. |
| In 1990, after crewing for several years, Elisa decided to volunteer as a Launch Director during Balloon Fiesta. She went began as a ZIT (Zebra In Training), became a Launch Director and is now a Rover. Being a Launch Director has given her an entirely different perspective of ballooning. Launching 800 or so balloons with her fellow Zebras during a short time span is a very stressful job. But, as she puts it, "it is rewarding in the fact of knowing you are part of Fiesta and part of launching all those beautiful globes into the air. The Zebra thing is so ingrained into my being that I have my very own Zebra room that reflects everything from a small statue, to sunglasses, to lingerie and other wardrobe apparel, to all kinds of Zebra paraphernalia." |
| Elisa returned to New Mexico in 1978, and in 1979 attended her first Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. It was love at first sight. She knew she had to find a way to get into the sport and met some people who were crewing during Fiesta. She experienced her first balloon ride with Dick Worth (who was later killed in the El Globo Grande accident in 1982) in the Thunder and Colt balloon "Cracker Jack". She has crewed for several pilots and balloons throughout the years, always enjoying the sport and the camaraderie among the group. Some of the pilots were foreign pilots, including German pilots. That experience has extended her ballooning family to Germany and the Czech Republic. In 1988, one of those pilots sent his German-Czech daughter to stay with Elisa for several weeks and became Elisa�s adopted daughter. The following summer Elisa�s daughter visited Germany. That young girl, now a Dr., is now working on becoming a hot air balloon pilot and continues to stay in touch and exchange visits with Elisa.. |
| In 1990, after crewing for several years, Elisa decided to volunteer as a Launch Director during Balloon Fiesta. She began as a ZIT (Zebra In Training), became a Launch Director, and has been a Rover. Being a Launch Director has given her an entirely different perspective of ballooning. Launching 800 or so balloons with her fellow Zebras during a short time span is a very stressful job. But, as she puts it, "it is rewarding in knowing you are part of Fiesta in that capacity and part of launching all those beautiful globes into the air.� The Zebra thing is so ingrained into my being that I have my very own unique Zebra room. It is quite a variety of Zebra memorabilia, along with the lingerie and other wardrobe apparel. So many of those items have been gifts from friends all over the world, who when they see Zebra stuff reminds them of Elisa." |
| In 1993, she found herself with a new career change...from a single Mom to a Mom whose daughter had grown up and moved to Seattle. Elisa decided this was the time to begin to learn flying. She became a partner in a Balloon Works 7B named "Dulcinea" and began taking flying lessons in November 1995. Wally Book, sometimes known as �The BOOK�, a long-time friend, and pilot for over 20 years, provided here pilot instruction. Elisa received her private pilot certificate in February 1997. Shortly after receiving her certificate, she settled her half interest in Dulcinea with her partner. |
| Elisa is a member of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (Quad A) and the Valencia Flying and Retrieval Society. She has flown several rallies in NM, Colorado and Arizona. |
| Elisa's personal data include: |
| Aeronautical Certificates: Private Pilot. |
| Day Job: Administrative Analyst |
| Hobbies: Hot Air Ballooning, White Water Rafting, kayaking, cooking, spending time with friends. |
| As To Her Most Exciting Balloon Experience: Elisa relates, "It is difficult to try to describe my most exciting balloon experience, because I believe that every time I fly or crew or participate in balloon activity, it is a learning and an exciting experience. The passion is so strong in my heart for this sport that every part of ballooning, every flight, every person who crosses my path affects me and my world and adds to my being and the wonderful sport of ballooning." |
| Motto: I know the Angels in the Skies (DZ Skies) will always watch over you and me. And May the Angel de Milagros y Suenoz grant you your own Miracles and Dreams. |
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Kenneth Wayne Paulk |
| Ken considers himself a recovering Texan, born on November 14, 1943, in Fort Worth, Texas. He was raised in the Fort Worth area and attended Texas Christian University. He graduated with a BA degree in Biology with a combined Science minor. |
| Ken moved to Denver, Colorado in 1966 to work for the University of Colorado Medical Center. In 1969 he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to work for SED Medical Laboratories. He currently works for SED as a toxicology-certifying scientist. |
| Ken's first balloon ride and experience was a paid commercial ride from Fiesta field on the last day of Fiesta, 1987. The pilot was David Harwell from Griffin, Georgia. The day was "pilot's discretion", and the balloon was one of the last to fly before they closed the field. The landing was a rip-out, with David injuring his ankle so badly that he had Ken pull out the top. David had to fly home to Atlanta and have someone else drive his chase vehicle home. Little did Ken know at that time that he would someday be piloting his own balloon. |
| Ken volunteered to chase for Fiesta in 1993 and was assigned to an out-of-state commercial pilot, William Fitzgerald. In return for room and board and crew time, Bill taught Ken how to fly on his 77,000 cu. ft. Aerostar. Ken earned his private pilot certificate on October 14, 1995. He continued his training toward his commercial certificate. Jeff Stocker, one of the 1st NM Adams pilots, signed Ken off for his commercial check ride and on March 9, 2001, a FAA Designated Examiner awarded Ken his commercial pilot certificate. Ken remarked "it was the most beautiful and perfect day to fly." Ken has a strong desire to pass on the sport of ballooning and keep the legend of the Adams Family alive". |
| Ken belongs to the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA) and the Valencia Flying and Retrieval Society (VFRS). He has flown in several rallys in NM, Arizona and Colorado. |
| Ken became a ZIT in 1996 after being told by Elisa what a great time being a Zebra was and has been a launch director since. |
| Ken's personal data include: |
| Aeronautical Certificates: Private Pilot. |
| Day Job: Toxicology-Certifying Scientist. |
| Hobbies: Hot Air Ballooning, Skiing, Kayaking, White Water Rafting. He has taken classes in technical climbing and swift-water rescue and is also a basic and wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). |
| Motto: Live life to its fullest, one day at a time, and always be true to yourself without hurting others. |
| Most Exciting Balloon Experience: Launching from the Red Rock State Park in Gallup flying in the Red Rocks, playing in the rocks and best of all flying past Church Rock�it was truly a spiritual experience |
| Joe Howell, Crew Chief |
Tanya Howell, Mrs. Crew Chief |
Bud & Sue Williams |
| Chuck & Kathy Ritz | Lou Duvall (Balloon Slut) | Nita Carle |
| Pat and Jean Lewis | Marty Haber | Malcom Gonzales |
| Jim Martin | Jennifer Martin� | Ben Martin� |
| You may contact Ken and Elisa with any ballooning question at: |
 e-mail address: angeldzsky@msn.com |
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Copyright� 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002. Except for educational entities, no reproduction without written permission of The Adams Family Hot Air Balloon Teams is allowed.
