The winds have welcomed
you with softness
The sun blessed you with his
warm hands
You have flown so high and so well
That God joins you in your laughter
And set you gently back into
the Loving arms of Mother Earth
- Balloonist Prayer
Who would have ever guessed that one beautiful, cold winter day - we would rise before the sun and enter the world of the balloonists? Each year Bluff celebrates the Bluff Balloon Festival. The past two years, they have brought tissue paper, glue and wire to the school and Mark has helped them teach his students about ballooning (which is actually a career choice!) and to make their own balloons. Next week they will get to launch their balloons at the school. Interestingly enough the heat source to launch the balloons is a turkey cooker! So Mark was given the opportunity to take me to Bluff and take a ride in a hot air balloon!
Those that are going to ride are considered part of the "crew" and they give you explicit directions in helping them unload and inflate the balloon.
It was a cold morning and a welcome time when they "lit" the burner to make sure it was functioning properly.
As the sun was rising, so were the balloons. Enormous fans are used to blow air into the balloons to inflate them.
Sense would tell you that the balloons are big - but until you stand next to one, you don't realize how big!
Mark helping to put the top of the balloon in place and getting all the ropes in proper alignment.
Looking into the inside of the balloon as it is filling with air.
This is our balloon for the day - the Skywalker - the owners of the balloon designed the balloon, the number of panels and the graduating color scheme.
Some of the fellow balloons in the morning sky at Bluff as we are just beginning to take off.
Looking "down" on a neighboring balloon.
Peeking through the basket at a ball-capped, happy faced balloon.
Way up there - above the mesas near Bluff.
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Certification that we really did it!
It was spectacular - the entire process was beyond what I would have imagined. All "novice" riders once they have come safely back to earth take part in a "ritual" Balloonists Prayer and toast to give thanks for their safe return to earth. The toast is made with Champagne (orange juice for us) kneeling down and using no hands! After the toast was drunk, there was cheese, crackers, salami and fruit to enjoy. What can I say, it was just a beautiful experience. I'm so glad I got to take part in the day.
4 comments:
Wow! What fun. I think. It looks like an incredible experience, all except for the cold. It really looks cold.
That is awesome! So it was just you and Dad that went up in your balloon? Or was there someone else? I have always wanted to go for a ride in a hot air balloon. They do a festival here, we saw the balloons but we're headed out of town. Then I found out some of my neighbors saw one land at our church chased it down and got rides. I was jealous. That is so fun that you got to go do that. Exciting careers- and hey maybe dad can retire and become a balloonist!! :) You guys could travel the world giving kids rides in balloons.
What an exciting experience. Jason and I would love to do that someday!
You two are having way too much fun being "Empty-Nesters"! I have always wanted to do that! I used to stand in the big windows on the 6th floor at UVRMC and watch the balloons on the 4th of July. Those balloons were taller than the hospital. It was shocking to be up so high on the 6th floor and see them towering above me.
I think the funnest thing about being Empty-Nesters was the first time we just got in the car and went somewhere and didn't have to check it out with anyone. Keep having fun! Cindy
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