A couple of weeks ago, I got a chance to go to the Plano Hot Air Balloon Festival. Like last year, to join with a balloon team and help crew. I did this
last year with Rocky Bailey, brother of my friend Dena, and I got to help set up the balloon, FLY, and take down the balloon. This year, I was on the chase team. I got to set up the balloon, and then Rocky and I chased it down in the truck and helped put it away. There are few things I would willingly wake up at 4:30 a.m. for, but the balloon festival is one. It was a lot of fun, because not only was I hanging out with relatively new friends and surrounded by AMAZING hot air balloons, but this year I actually had a little experience and was able to be more helpful. I will say, actually flying last year was the BEST, but chasing the balloons, watching them soar above us, and experiencing it all up-close was phenomenal!
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| Arriving at the field |
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| Yes, it was early! The sun was rising just as the balloons were inflating. |
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| Ready to set up the "High Horizons" |
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| One of the first balloons in the air |
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| My job was holding open the mouth of the balloon so the fan could slowly fill the balloon with air. This is looking into the balloon as it inflated. |
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| Upright, with burners heating the air |
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| Ready to take flight |
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| A successful launch! |
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| We tracked down the balloon in a small field and quickly set to work packing it all away. |
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| Didn't get a photo of me with my pilot (Rocky) last year, so here we are. |
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| A post-flight champagne toast |
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