Traveled Back To Santa Monica, CA And Returned To Balloon Fiesta With Alternate Balloon

It was to have been a tribute to her father. Marilyn Wallace planned to fly her father Rick's balloon daily during this year's Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Rick Wallace had flown at the Fiesta for 30 years, but had passed away shortly before this year's event.

But those plans were dashed when thieves stole Wallace's Chevy Suburban and the trailer holding the balloon last Saturday. Despite several leads, neither has been recovered.

So Marilyn managed the next best thing. Hours after the theft, she and her mother jumped on a plane back to their home in Santa Monica, CA, where Marilyn's husband met them with at the airport with her balloon. They put him in a taxi back to the house, and started the 12-hour trip back to Albuquerque. They drove nearly straight through, stopping for just three-hours for a nap, according to a report on the website krqe.com.

The pair arrived back at the Balloon Fiesta Sunday afternoon, and by Monday, Marilyn was flying in honor of her father ... albeit without his distinctive, hand made balloon.

Marilyn continued to fly all week at the Balloon Fiesta, which concludes Sunday.

(Image of stolen balloon "Rainbow Thru Heaven")

FMI: www.balloonfiesta.com