The experience actually left me speechless, which, as most of you know, is quite a feat. Once the basket lifted off the ground all I could really do was squeal, and repeat "thank you Ryan, I love this, I love you, thank you," over and over again. Even sitting here three days later I can't really put the flight into words. Luckily I took pictures...
The basket and un-inflated balloon weigh about 1700 pounds, and take about 30 minutes to set up before flight. Ryan helped with the "cold inflation" holding the balloon open while enormous fans blew in air.
Then, they turned up the heat, and it was time to take to the skies...
I didn't realize how high we were until we were really high. Even then it didn't sink in until I looked down and saw something almost indistinguishable on the ground -- and then realized it was a person...
There were five other balloons in the sky with us, which only served to make the scene that much more beautiful and amazing. Oh, and there were three other people having birthdays in our basket, and one had brought treats to share. I'm telling you, maybe anything tastes good in the open air at three thousand feet, but these brownies were amazing.
When it was time to land we had to go up and down several times, looking for just the right air current to push us towards a place to land. All of the movement really freaked out some cows below.
Chasing cows was almost the best part of the experience. So, was sharing a champagne toast and a prayer with our fellow riders after it was all over. But, the thing I loved the most, and the memory that will pop into my head whenever I hear the words "hot air balloon," is floating above the earth with the man that I love, and knowing that he was trying to give it all to me. Yeah, mushy, but true. I'm glad that no matter time I wake up, I get to do it next to him.
When it was time to land we had to go up and down several times, looking for just the right air current to push us towards a place to land. All of the movement really freaked out some cows below.
5 comments:
Those last few lines made my eyes well up. That takes something, you are a very lucky woman.
What a wonderful birthday and husband.
DAMMIT YOU TWIT! You made me cry.
I guess I will have to stop it by thinking of my dear sister, high above it all, playing "hey cow".
By the way, it does not take much to make Em cry - she's just pulling your leg. I know that Em will cry if you show her pictures of Nick Rhodes.
While Mandy on the other hand cries at General Foods International Coffee commercials ... so yeah, whatever.
very cool. i've always wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride. what a great guy you have! just the thing you needed to "lift" your spirits!
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