We went up in a hot air balloon!!!!! 
Bob and Lorraine Thompson, Joni's friends from high school, are very into hot air ballooning. Their family even owns one.
After surprising Lorraine and Bob, by showing up on their door step, we were invited to a hot air balloon festival going on the next day. Lorraine's daughter, Jen and her husband own the balloon.
Thank you so much for including us in this fun and exciting day! 
We were involved in the whole process from getting to the festival, setting up the balloon, going for a ride, landing, and tearing down. We were part of the whole thing!
We arrived at the site. The basket is prepared and the balloon is hooked up to the basket. See Delton helping Bob and the "crew". The crew is actually Lorraine and Bob's family and friends.
We arrived at the site. The basket is prepared and the balloon is hooked up to the basket. See Delton helping Bob and the "crew". The crew is actually Lorraine and Bob's family and friends.
A big fan blows air into the balloon. As the air blows up the balloon, the "crew" helps unfold the balloon. We helped in this process.
A flame heats the air in the balloon and then the
balloon slowly starts to rise.
A flame heats the air in the balloon and then the
balloon slowly starts to rise.
Since the day started out foggy, we had to wait until the fog lifted to go for a ride. The best time of day to go up is when the sun rises - early! We had to be at the festival at 5:30AM. We had to get up at 4:00AM to get there. It's the wind! There's less wind early in the morning and again later in the afternoon.
We were invited to go for a ride with Pete, (Jen's husband, Lorraine's son in law)! At first Joni was very apprehensive being afraid of heights and ledges. But, she finally agreed to go. It was a chance of a lifetime.
Surprisingly it was not scary at all. It's so peaceful and quiet. You just float like you're on a cloud.
We were invited to go for a ride with Pete, (Jen's husband, Lorraine's son in law)! At first Joni was very apprehensive being afraid of heights and ledges. But, she finally agreed to go. It was a chance of a lifetime.
Surprisingly it was not scary at all. It's so peaceful and quiet. You just float like you're on a cloud.
Once you are up in the ski, the view is spectacular. Going up or going down depends on how hot the air in the balloon is.
The next step is finding a place to land. You are totally dependent on the winds for steering and the winds go in different directions at different elevations.
We found a good spot and started to come down. Lorraine, Bob and their family chased the balloon with the "chase car". Keeping in touch by radio, the chase car found us. A tether line was thrown down to the "ground crew" and pulled us to a grassy spot on private land. That's where the balloons usually land but the home owners usually don't mind. Bringing snacks, a party is held at the landing site and the home owners join in the fun.
What a thrilling time we had. There is another hot air balloon festival this coming weekend, during our mini high school reunion. We will be having a fantastic time again.
Lorraine and Joni have bonded again and will always keep in touch from now on!
The next step is finding a place to land. You are totally dependent on the winds for steering and the winds go in different directions at different elevations.
We found a good spot and started to come down. Lorraine, Bob and their family chased the balloon with the "chase car". Keeping in touch by radio, the chase car found us. A tether line was thrown down to the "ground crew" and pulled us to a grassy spot on private land. That's where the balloons usually land but the home owners usually don't mind. Bringing snacks, a party is held at the landing site and the home owners join in the fun.
What a thrilling time we had. There is another hot air balloon festival this coming weekend, during our mini high school reunion. We will be having a fantastic time again.
Lorraine and Joni have bonded again and will always keep in touch from now on!
Lorraine and Bob - THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Your friendship is very special and you family is wonderful!
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