vicksart
Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country
We checked one off the bucket list today - a hot-air balloon ride. My husband's birthday is on Tuesday, and I decided to surprise him with a unique adventure. It was amazing.
Apparently many other people also had this experience in mind. As we looked back at the other balloons, we realized we were the first launch of seven balloons. Most carried 12-14 passengers plus a pilot.
Air is first blown into the opening of the balloons with large fans. Flames then heat the air in the balloon to make it rise and right the gondola. We climb aboard using holes in the sides of the gondola as steps. The ground crew works to release the balloon as we slowly rise. To control altitude, the pilot intermittently activates the flames. He is also able to control direction slightly by catching the breeze with a flap of fabric on the bottom of the balloon much like a sailor catches the wind in a sail on a sailboat. When it's time to land, the pilot quits activating the flames, and the balloon descends. The ride is incredibly smooth and very relaxing. Landing is a different story. As the balloon touches down, members of the ground crew, who have been in communication with the pilot via a walkie-talkie, and who have been following us in vans, run over to grab the side of the gondola to keep it from tipping over. Once it's stabilized, we climb out and head to the vans for our ride back and a light but lovely champagne brunch.
Wow. I have always wanted to take an hot air balloon ride. My wife is afraid of heights so I would probably have to go without her. The photos are breath taking and the color of the balloons are not as varied as I have seen in other photos. However, the yellows are extremely vivid and are very nice. Thank you for sharing them.
DOOK
Loc: Maclean, Australia
Sounds like a real hoot, Vicki--lovely shots.
vicksart wrote:
We checked one off the bucket list today - a hot-air balloon ride. My husband's birthday is on Tuesday, and I decided to surprise him with a unique adventure. It was amazing.
Apparently many other people also had this experience in mind. As we looked back at the other balloons, we realized we were the first launch of seven balloons. Most carried 12-14 passengers plus a pilot.
Air is first blown into the opening of the balloons with large fans. Flames then heat the air in the balloon to make it rise and right the gondola. We climb aboard using holes in the sides of the gondola as steps. The ground crew works to release the balloon as we slowly rise. To control altitude, the pilot intermittently activates the flames. He is also able to control direction slightly by catching the breeze with a flap of fabric on the bottom of the balloon much like a sailor catches the wind in a sail on a sailboat. When it's time to land, the pilot quits activating the flames, and the balloon descends. The ride is incredibly smooth and very relaxing. Landing is a different story. As the balloon touches down, members of the ground crew, who have been in communication with the pilot via a walkie-talkie, and who have been following us in vans, run over to grab the side of the gondola to keep it from tipping over. Once it's stabilized, we climb out and head to the vans for our ride back and a light but lovely champagne brunch.
We checked one off the bucket list today - a hot-a... (
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Nice set Vicki. Looks like you enjoyed your time in the sky
vicksart wrote:
We checked one off the bucket list today - a hot-air balloon ride. My husband's birthday is on Tuesday, and I decided to surprise him with a unique adventure. It was amazing.
Apparently many other people also had this experience in mind. As we looked back at the other balloons, we realized we were the first launch of seven balloons. Most carried 12-14 passengers plus a pilot.
Air is first blown into the opening of the balloons with large fans. Flames then heat the air in the balloon to make it rise and right the gondola. We climb aboard using holes in the sides of the gondola as steps. The ground crew works to release the balloon as we slowly rise. To control altitude, the pilot intermittently activates the flames. He is also able to control direction slightly by catching the breeze with a flap of fabric on the bottom of the balloon much like a sailor catches the wind in a sail on a sailboat. When it's time to land, the pilot quits activating the flames, and the balloon descends. The ride is incredibly smooth and very relaxing. Landing is a different story. As the balloon touches down, members of the ground crew, who have been in communication with the pilot via a walkie-talkie, and who have been following us in vans, run over to grab the side of the gondola to keep it from tipping over. Once it's stabilized, we climb out and head to the vans for our ride back and a light but lovely champagne brunch.
We checked one off the bucket list today - a hot-a... (
show quote)
Great photo essay. We have Balloon rides not to far from us as well in Temecula, CA, also a grape growing area. I'm not good with heights, though I've been in small private planes (with the doors closed).
Odd you would say, however true, Earthquake County and not Wine Country. Living my entire life thus far Just South of the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Andreas Fault I am quite aware of the constant threat of Earthquakes. Wild fires too are a problem as you know in many parts of California. We are just beginning yet another fire season now. Luckily where I live is in a build up suburban area and far enough away from wilderness. Stay safe.
Plieku69
Loc: The Gopher State, south end
Great series and very informative. Thanks for posting this.
Doddy
Loc: Barnard Castle-England
Excellent shots of what looked like a great experience Vicki.
vicksart wrote:
We checked one off the bucket list today - a hot-air balloon ride. My husband's birthday is on Tuesday, and I decided to surprise him with a unique adventure. It was amazing.
Apparently many other people also had this experience in mind. As we looked back at the other balloons, we realized we were the first launch of seven balloons. Most carried 12-14 passengers plus a pilot.
Air is first blown into the opening of the balloons with large fans. Flames then heat the air in the balloon to make it rise and right the gondola. We climb aboard using holes in the sides of the gondola as steps. The ground crew works to release the balloon as we slowly rise. To control altitude, the pilot intermittently activates the flames. He is also able to control direction slightly by catching the breeze with a flap of fabric on the bottom of the balloon much like a sailor catches the wind in a sail on a sailboat. When it's time to land, the pilot quits activating the flames, and the balloon descends. The ride is incredibly smooth and very relaxing. Landing is a different story. As the balloon touches down, members of the ground crew, who have been in communication with the pilot via a walkie-talkie, and who have been following us in vans, run over to grab the side of the gondola to keep it from tipping over. Once it's stabilized, we climb out and head to the vans for our ride back and a light but lovely champagne brunch.
We checked one off the bucket list today - a hot-a... (
show quote)
That looks like a unique experience.
Vicki, it must have been a beautiful experience. Disney World had a ride that simulated a balloon ride and Napa Valley was one of the areas it went over . It was a very large screen and the views were magnificent.
Beautiful shots Vicki. This is on my bucket list as well...
A little note of critique, you may want to take a little of the noise out, otherwise beautiful photographs.
What a wonderful gift, Vicki. Very nice set of images to remember it by.
What a great tour, Vicki! Thanks for taking us along.
nice gift....... nice shots, we are often greeted early mornings by the roar of the flames as they float overhead.........
Hal81
Loc: Bucks County, Pa.
I too always wanted to go up in one of those till I lost a good photographer friend and his son when they hit power lines and were killed back in the 50s.
Very nice set. Love the balloon races out here too.
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