Balloon Ride

Last Year Mom and Dad celebrated 35 years....so my brother, sister and I went together and got them a Hot Air Balloon Ride to Celebrate ;)

Due to weather and schedules....they weren't able to go last year...but

Sept. 8th they were able to take their trip ;)

I picked up the kids at school and raced up to Spokane (about 2hrs away) to be able to watch them take off...their launch time was 5pm.  Even getting stuck in construction traffic and heading to the wrong "launch area"...we made it thanks to my sister's good eye at spotting us fly by on the highway ;)

She called me and redirected us...and we got there with -no kiddn' like maybe 10 minutes to spare...

They were finishing filling it up as we arrived...and then they climbed in....

Dad on the left helping out

off they go......

up...up...and AWAY!

Dan with the "Balloon Trailer Guy".....we got to follow him as he followed the balloon.  This way we could watch them along their trip ;)  It was a bit crazy along the highway..but we managed to fit the van/trailer, Dan's rig, and the Suburban in all the little pull out areas ;)

Only a few cars yelled at us...some also were pulling over to watch!!

Aunt Lindsey and the kids watching and waiting for Grandpa Boyd and Nana Sharon to float by

Landing Time.....after 1 hour the Balloon Man starts looking for a place to land....they found a farmer's field....that was o.k. to land in

Welcoming committee ;)  Dad got to jump out and help hold it down while they started deflating.

Happy Riders

A view inside as it starts to deflate

A fun thing to watch!!

Mom said it was so hot though....it was a Hot afternoon anyway and then the inside of the balloon has to be hotter to make it float....so Mom and Dad said that at one point the thermometer said 125 degrees inside the basket...that's hot!!  They had lots of water to drink..but still...wow!

Then they ended the night with a tradition of the balloon flyers...to toast champange...as he told some history of why that started with the balloon landings.....they even had sparkling cider for the kids

Made for a late night on a school night...but really how often do you know someone riding in a hot air balloon and get to watch them???  Fun Night ;)