Couple weeks ago we had the chance to go on a ride with Arizona Balloon Works. It was a very interesting experience but I have to admit that I prefer a steering wheel and some pedals. Here, you are left to the mercy of mother nature...

Enjoy the pictures.

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Jorge

When I was in college I sometimes was the chase vehicle for a friend who had a balloon. I never flew in it. I thought it was much safer to be the ground crew. LOL!
BTW your pictures are very nice!

Hot air balloon flying is some of the most fun you can have. But for me, the lower the altitude the better. Just clearing roof tops and tree tops makes it fun; it just isn't that much fun if the pilot makes a beeline for 2,000 or 3,000 feet altitude, because then all you see is a very slow moving view of the ground well below. For anyone who hasn't done it, DO IT! It's one of those things in life that shouldn't be viewed in terms of dollars and cents for what it costs ($150-$250/person for ~ 1 hour aloft), it has to be viewed as something you must do at least once in your lifetime. The prettier the scenery the better, I like hot air ballooning in Vermont with all the mountains for a backdrop.

I understand they have sunrise balloon rides at Monument Valley seems like that could be quite spectacular.

Let's see...no power, no steering, at the mercy of mother nature?? no thanks. I'm with indiandave.

JJEH, glad you enjoyed the flight.


Me????? I don't think I want to go up in something that's already on fire.


WuzzFuzz

It was a nice experience, but I'm not doing it again. Don't get me wrong, both captain and co-pilot were awesome pilots and very experienced. But it's just the feeling in my stomach that tells me not to do it anymore. And it's loud and FREAKING (all capital letters, yes!) hot in there...

I agree with you vt_shooter, the very first 10 minutes when we were just barely clearing tree tops and power lines (j/k ) were the most fun.

But you never know what the wind does and all the captain can do is to move either up or down, trying to get a breeze in that direction that he/her wants to go...

Not my cup of tea.

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Jorge

Great pictures and thanks for sharing.

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James
On the Llano Estacado

I love hot air balloons....from the ground. You ain't gettin' me in one.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

The only suggestion I would give is this. If you get a chance to ride in one, definitely do so. You'll find though, that in very hot weather, it gets extremely uncomfortable during the ride. You have to remember that you're drifting with whatever breeze you may have. In doing so you're essentially in dead air with no breeze. Add the heat generated when the burner is turned on just gets worse. Going out on a cool morning can't get any better!

We used to get them coming over the house on the weekends.When they were trying to land behind us and firing the burner and the dog going nuts-very exciting on an early Sunday morn.

It is a different idea to just float where the wind takes you. The 'hobby' was always deemed as 'safe' but there has been a spate of bad accidents the last few years and its got me spooked about going on one. I think the problem may be is that there just isn't as much free land as there used to be, which also affects our shooting sport.

When all the balloons take off at the gatherings, it's an incredible, beautiful sight.

Great shots. Who blew the bubble? Or was that the escape capsule?

What IS that thing???????????????????

Hah, great idea. There was a father/son team with on board and the son brought bubbles. I figured it looks cool so lets try to take a picture of them.



Kinda looks like David Bowie's crystal ball in Labyrinth, doesn't it

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Jorge

Was that Jerome in the one shot?

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LEX ET ORDO

Thanks for clearing that up. Fun stuff that soapy water. Glad that other wasn't a selfie.

There is a small degree of steering involved with some of the later model balloons but, it's kind of like trying to steer a sail boat with no rudder, no keel and no main sail.......................only a jib sail............a REALLY REALLY small jib sail.

Yes sir, that's Jerome.

Couple days later we stayed at the Grand Hotel, for the second time.

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Jorge

Our 30th wedding anniversary is coming up in September. My wife told me the other day she wants to go on a balloon ride. So, I'll be looking into it. Honestly, it scares me a little bit...being up that high and not being in control.

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'Merica!

I'm the same way and first thing I asked - after the captain told me that I look very uncomfortable - if we are getting two of these:



Seriously, that's the only thing you can do. There's no other safety device other than the captain.

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Jorge

Love the photos!

To me there's nothing quite like going up in a hot air balloon! I was lucky and got to do it a few times as a kid as my parents had friends who had one. Going up early in the morning and flying over the Mojave is amazing! Once you get to the desired altitude and the burners are off then it's quiet and you're floating over and looking down while floating over wide open desert.

Been way too many years but now I want to go for photo ops if nothing else. Though taking the camera up in one would just be awesome. Hmmm.... might have to see what the cost is....

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L'LS

Did it in santa fe at sun rise. Just 3 of us in a small balloon that was unbelievable. Very controllable. We skimmed up the hillsides and dipped into the ravines. Only got over 1500' for a few minutes. The terrain following flying was the best.

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