Balloon Crew

Labor Day Weekend:

Was able to get up very early to help crew for a hot air balloon ride:

Several misconceptions I had:

1. The balloon does not just inflate with hot air. There is a cold inflate first with a huge fan and then the burn takes over and lifts the fabric.

2. There is more than one propane tank.

3. The balloon does not rise straight up and then float with the wind. The pilot can drift almost motionless near the ground. The ride can last over an hour, gently rising and falling as the pilot brushes the tops of trees and then hovers near the ground again (wind conditions just right of course).

And then they were off!