we woke up again this morning at 4:30. The second day in a row is worse I must say. We stumbled out of bed and after an eventful morning searching form my keys we were headed away from Larry and Kasies. Thanks again for letting us hang out and stay, we had a really nice time and I am glad we know you guys a little better. We made it to the balloon launch site and luckily there were people there, so we figured the winds must be in our favor! After a brief hello from the aeronaut the morning officially began. Coffee in hand we started inflating the enormous balloon. They are so 
incredibly big. We watched as Jeff, the pilot, stretched the balloon out across the lawn. This is Jeff -
incredibly big. We watched as Jeff, the pilot, stretched the balloon out across the lawn. This is Jeff - 
Brad and one of our basket-mates, Chris, held the balloon opening to allow
air flow from a fan. Once the balloon was full of air the burners were turned on and the air warmed causing the balloon to turn upright. There was a bit more grace than that observed in the Wizard of Oz so the basket didn't immediately take off and we as passengers didn't have to run and jump in. The warming hot air balloon slowly lifted off the ground and it seemed to grow as it did. As it started to sit more upright we all gathered around and one by one in we went. Heat was added and the steadiness of the ground beneath began to shake. We ever so gently just hovered above the surface touching then not touching. To be honest this initially gave me a little queasy feeling in my stomach. We began to lift and all at once we reached the point of no return and the roads, houses, rivers, buildings began to look less like what they were and more like toys. Soon we were soaring high above Colorado's beautiful landscape with the Rocky mountains juts to our west. As we were beginning our adventure the clouds had not risen for the day so as the journey progressed it appeared as though the mountains were waking up with us. They started out in a cozy blanket of clouds that slowly lifted revealing snow capped mountains and fur lined r
idges. I wish the sky would have been a little less overcast and a little more blue, but the weather was nice and it was cool. It would have been too hot had the sun been fully out. It was hot enough because the burners had to keep the air hot or it wouldn't have been a hot air balloon and it would not have been nearly as much fun on the ground! The sun was rising changing the sky pink and orange throughout the first half of the trip. I was happy that we were in a brightly colored balloon and we had good company to boot. There were three couples and we had things to talk about with both of them. One couple ran track so we shared some stories and the other couple went to Michigan. They were surprised to discover we came from Appalachian State. Go Mountaineers! Jeff, our pilot, was an awesome guy as well. Total there were three balloons and I was happy to be in his because he is the person I have been talking with over th
e phone. After a while in the air the uneasy feeling in my stomach subsided and I was able to really enjoy the experience. Being in a balloon is so smooth and mellow. It was awesome to have the mountains so near and interesting to look at them for a different angle. Apposed to looking at them from below we were able to look down at the 13 and 14,000 monster mountains of Colorado. Brad was comfortable the entire time and laughed at me a little for holding on so tightly in the beginning. We all got a chance to "fly" the balloon. This consisted of squeezing a 
fuel lever of sorts and releasing the propane generating a burst of fire, thus heating the balloon. Brad was kind of like his little helper, he was asked to do the chores so that was pretty neat for him to get a really hands on experience. But we were all little helpers from time to time. We watched a river bend beneath us and followed its line for a while. We saw what looked like a toy track and baseball fields. Floating in the balloon had a weightless feeling, it was hard to tell if you were rising or falling or neither. We floated with the air for about two hours and were preparing for a landing. We skipped the original landing position due to change of wind. As we all know, you can not control the weather. Luckily the area was littered with fields. We chose one and down we went. Now our balloon had what is called a speed landing. This may sound fun but it was pretty crazy (maybe it was a little fun). At the last minute we picked up
too much speed and we hit hard. Not once but twice. Our basket almost tipped over we had to work as a team and lean. I was unlucky and was on the tipped side, making me at the bottom of the people pile. I got stepped on and squished. We finally we able to upright the basket and Jeff gave everyone a high five and told as that our landing was a bit nontraditional but he was excited because it was so fun - Let it be noted that he wasn't on the bottom of the pile =) We hopped out of the basket and began the intricate process of packing the balloon and getting the pick-up van in the field with us. As soon as the balloon landed the air just left it ad it deflated so quickly it was almost 
frightening to think that we were just being supported by it and felt safe! We packed to balloon into about a four square foot sack that weighed about 300 lbs. Then we were toasted for flying with the official ballooner toast and we were given champagne. Considering this is Brad's birthday present he is happy to have a birthday in July. So all day we have been treating it like his birthday which has been fun. And we have champagne now to celebrate with. Currently we are in Estes Park next to a swift moving river posting this. We have already picked up our back country permit for the next few days in the wilderness of Rocky Mountain National Park. We purchased a bear canister so we can safely store our food in bear country. It should be nice to spend the next couple of days awa
y from society since we have been with people and in towns the past few days. The ranger we spoke with and received our permit from is from Boone. It was nice to talk with him just about home and being out west. He explained a town referencing blowing Rock as an equivalent and he got excited saying, "I always say that or want to say that but you are the only people who will get it." Now that we have our bear canister and food to put in it we should be on our way. Hiking in to the wilderness and the stars again. I am glad.
air flow from a fan. Once the balloon was full of air the burners were turned on and the air warmed causing the balloon to turn upright. There was a bit more grace than that observed in the Wizard of Oz so the basket didn't immediately take off and we as passengers didn't have to run and jump in. The warming hot air balloon slowly lifted off the ground and it seemed to grow as it did. As it started to sit more upright we all gathered around and one by one in we went. Heat was added and the steadiness of the ground beneath began to shake. We ever so gently just hovered above the surface touching then not touching. To be honest this initially gave me a little queasy feeling in my stomach. We began to lift and all at once we reached the point of no return and the roads, houses, rivers, buildings began to look less like what they were and more like toys. Soon we were soaring high above Colorado's beautiful landscape with the Rocky mountains juts to our west. As we were beginning our adventure the clouds had not risen for the day so as the journey progressed it appeared as though the mountains were waking up with us. They started out in a cozy blanket of clouds that slowly lifted revealing snow capped mountains and fur lined r
idges. I wish the sky would have been a little less overcast and a little more blue, but the weather was nice and it was cool. It would have been too hot had the sun been fully out. It was hot enough because the burners had to keep the air hot or it wouldn't have been a hot air balloon and it would not have been nearly as much fun on the ground! The sun was rising changing the sky pink and orange throughout the first half of the trip. I was happy that we were in a brightly colored balloon and we had good company to boot. There were three couples and we had things to talk about with both of them. One couple ran track so we shared some stories and the other couple went to Michigan. They were surprised to discover we came from Appalachian State. Go Mountaineers! Jeff, our pilot, was an awesome guy as well. Total there were three balloons and I was happy to be in his because he is the person I have been talking with over th
e phone. After a while in the air the uneasy feeling in my stomach subsided and I was able to really enjoy the experience. Being in a balloon is so smooth and mellow. It was awesome to have the mountains so near and interesting to look at them for a different angle. Apposed to looking at them from below we were able to look down at the 13 and 14,000 monster mountains of Colorado. Brad was comfortable the entire time and laughed at me a little for holding on so tightly in the beginning. We all got a chance to "fly" the balloon. This consisted of squeezing a 
fuel lever of sorts and releasing the propane generating a burst of fire, thus heating the balloon. Brad was kind of like his little helper, he was asked to do the chores so that was pretty neat for him to get a really hands on experience. But we were all little helpers from time to time. We watched a river bend beneath us and followed its line for a while. We saw what looked like a toy track and baseball fields. Floating in the balloon had a weightless feeling, it was hard to tell if you were rising or falling or neither. We floated with the air for about two hours and were preparing for a landing. We skipped the original landing position due to change of wind. As we all know, you can not control the weather. Luckily the area was littered with fields. We chose one and down we went. Now our balloon had what is called a speed landing. This may sound fun but it was pretty crazy (maybe it was a little fun). At the last minute we picked up
too much speed and we hit hard. Not once but twice. Our basket almost tipped over we had to work as a team and lean. I was unlucky and was on the tipped side, making me at the bottom of the people pile. I got stepped on and squished. We finally we able to upright the basket and Jeff gave everyone a high five and told as that our landing was a bit nontraditional but he was excited because it was so fun - Let it be noted that he wasn't on the bottom of the pile =) We hopped out of the basket and began the intricate process of packing the balloon and getting the pick-up van in the field with us. As soon as the balloon landed the air just left it ad it deflated so quickly it was almost 
frightening to think that we were just being supported by it and felt safe! We packed to balloon into about a four square foot sack that weighed about 300 lbs. Then we were toasted for flying with the official ballooner toast and we were given champagne. Considering this is Brad's birthday present he is happy to have a birthday in July. So all day we have been treating it like his birthday which has been fun. And we have champagne now to celebrate with. Currently we are in Estes Park next to a swift moving river posting this. We have already picked up our back country permit for the next few days in the wilderness of Rocky Mountain National Park. We purchased a bear canister so we can safely store our food in bear country. It should be nice to spend the next couple of days awa
y from society since we have been with people and in towns the past few days. The ranger we spoke with and received our permit from is from Boone. It was nice to talk with him just about home and being out west. He explained a town referencing blowing Rock as an equivalent and he got excited saying, "I always say that or want to say that but you are the only people who will get it." Now that we have our bear canister and food to put in it we should be on our way. Hiking in to the wilderness and the stars again. I am glad. 
2 comments:
Happy Birthday, Brad!! It looked awesome!! Enjoy the wilderness for a few days
Love,
Mom
Hey Guys,
These balloon pictures are great. I really enjoyed reading about the "speed landing". I literally laughed-out-loud when I read about the fact that you were on the side that ended up becoming the bottom of the basket and that everyone was stepping on you. I especially liked that Jeff had a great time in the untraditional landing and I think that his most enjoyable part was stepping on you Rebekah. (he he he)
I love you,
Jessica
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