So this past weekend we went up in a hot air balloon. Wow. I was a bit nervous leading up to it.... a lot of crazy worried-mama 'what-if' thoughts rambling around in my head. Of course it didn't help when people brought up ballooning accidents in conversation a couple days before we went. I had started wondering about what the back-up was in case of any 'what-ifs'... like if they had parachutes just in case or something like that. Maybe a really long rope or several? I don't know.
But then it was time and the balloon gently lifted off the ground and we started to float high above treetops and houses and all of those worried anxious thoughts just kind of flew away. Shortly into the flight we touched down on the surface of a lake and then lifted back up and rose up, up, up and floated over mountains and buildings, farms, trees, and highways for a solid hour. Our balloon (the swirly multicolored one) was the largest one out that day and we were one of four couples in the basket along with the pilot. It was pretty great. Different than I expected in many ways. Instead of feeling like we were flying around it was much more like a slow and steady floating (which I much appreciated considering we were floating 4800 feet above sea level (downtown Asheville is around 2200') with nothing but our balance and general smarts and a basket that came up to the middle of our backs to keep us from falling out). And wow are those burners hot!
It was gorgeous, really. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it wasn't so expensive.
Wow, a very impressive adventure. You have certainly made some amazing memories to treasure.
ReplyDeletewe had a lot of fun! maybe I'll go up again some day....
DeleteThat looks like so much fun!! I am going to have to see if they offer something like that in our area. We would love to try that!
ReplyDeleteIt really was great. I feel like it is a relatively common offering, I hope you find something close by so you can give it a go!
DeleteWhat an incredible experience. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!
ReplyDeletemy pleasure! I haven't had that much fun taking photographs in a long time- it was great!
Deleteyou are quite adventurous!! lovely photos and I don't think this is on my bucket list but I am married to someone who would LOVE that experience so you never ever know!
ReplyDeleteKaren I am totally afraid of flying but this was incredible- once I got over being nervous (about 5 minutes in) I enjoyed it so, so much.
Deletemy dad used to fly over churches and toss hula hoops over the steeples. apparently it's a common balloon pilot practical joke.
ReplyDeletelove your pics!
that is hilarious, Lisa!
Delete(when I first read your comment I read 'balloon pirate practical joke', which made me laugh even harder)
thank you~
Ah! There is nothing quite the same kind of magic as is a hot air ballon ride. (And when I talk like Yoda.) I LOVE IT. Our home town has a hot air ballon rally for July 4th. I'm glad you got to experience it (and that no what-ifs happened!)
ReplyDeleteI like your yoda talk.
Deleteoh I bet a hot air balloon rally would be a sight to see! Once when I was a kid I went to a hot air balloon show up in the Adirondacks- I remember feeling very, very little and loving all of the colorful balloons!
Gorgeous photos! My father-in-law has a balloon, but I've only been up in it once. It was pretty amazing.
ReplyDeletethank you! I've not had that much fun taking photographs in I don't know how long. What an incredible thing to have available to you! Hope you get to go up again~
Deletewow! what a beautiful, amazing experience!!! when i saw the reflective photos i was so puzzled for a moment... then it hit me... wow! thank you for sharing your amazing flight friend :)
ReplyDeletethe "splash and dash" was really cool! and how fun to see myself in the water and then watch as we lifted back up into the air!
Deletemy pleasure to share- what a fun time it was, and clearly I enjoyed taking tons of photos!
What a lovely experience! Thanks so much for sharing. I grew up in Albuquerque NM where they have a huge balloon festival every October. I've seen every shape and color of balloon.
ReplyDeleteI bet those festivals are amazing! especially out in the desert with the sky stretching out forever and the light so crisp. I'd love to see and photograph lots of balloons in many shapes and colors!
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