While over at Lingerie and Dishpan Hands I was reading her post about the things she wanted to do before she died. Her post reminded me of a certain incident – a hot air balloon ride – that I had taken. Yeah, one of those things you want to do before you die – or in my case, almost get killed whilst doing it.
Once upon a time, actually about twelve years ago, my sister and I befriended a couple of men. One of these men was in the “ballooning” business. The hot air balloon business was a very lucrative business at the time as rides were going for $200 per person. My sis and I had always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon but didn’t have the cash at the time to afford such a lavish adventure. So, we chatted up our friends at dinner one evening and somehow managed to talk them into taking us up in the balloon – for a free ride. Woo hoo!
It was a lovely July evening. The weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky. My sister and I made our way over to a spot near the lake where the balloon was waiting. They wanted to take us over the lake and then up towards the hills. Great. We were excited…and a bit trepidatious. I wasn’t exactly keen on the fact that the only thing between our bodies and a 500 foot drop to earth was a mere wicker basket. But, I was young and adventurous and off we went!
We arrived as the men were preparing the balloon for take off. They were very professional, explaining all the steps as they prepared the balloon and gondola, and answering any questions the two of us had. And of course, my only question was, “Have you ever crashed?” The pilot assured me that he, indeed, had never crashed but had had some ‘rough’ landings. That set our minds at ease and we climbed aboard adn were off. Believe it or not, I was able to round up some photos of the event:
My sis and the guys readying the balloon…while I stand back, watch and take photos.
My sis and the back of my scraggly head (hey, it was windy up there, what’s a girl to do? Ick, and what’s with the nasty washed-out blond color? Why didn’t anyone tell me it looked heinous?) as we approach the lake. Hmmm…the pilot is obviously taking this photo…oh no, who’s flying the thing?
So, we have a lovely take-off, cruise all over the country side, fly over the lake, and scare the crap out of handfuls of cattle, horses, deer…and some dogs on our little adventure. The pilot has a radio so he is in constant contact with ‘the chaser’ – the person on the ground driving around waiting for us to land. The ride is going smoothly as we head toward the hills. And then, suddenly, a gust of wind comes from nowhere. We are soaring slightly lower than we should be, the pilot shouts, “Everyone grab onto something, hold on tight and DON’T let go!” Oh crap. As those words come out of his mouth the wind jags the balloon and sends us careening toward the ground. The basket of the balloon hits the side of a hill and we start to spill on top of each other as the basket tips sideways. We bounce, drag, tip, bounce a bit more. As the basket bounces off the ground once more the pilot hits the blast valve and gets us back into the air quickly. We start to right ourselves and climb off of one another. We all inspect ourselves for injuries. Everyone is unscathed…except me. I’m not terribly injured but as we crashed I managed to slam my leg into the fire extinguisher. A huge gash on my leg is bleeding pretty badly. Luckily we have a first aid kit so we grab a handful of bandaids adn patch me up. Good as new.
As we are climbing into the air the pilot suddenly realizes that he has lost the radio in the crash. We have to back track to the field above the hill, land the balloon and all climb out and search for the radio in a field the size of two football fields…in the dusk. Talk about a needle in a haystack! Fortunately, the chaser has spotted us so she starts to squak on the radio and I eventually am able to pinpoint the location and grab the radio. Yay! The sun has almost set so we reluctantly climb back into the basket and are off into the skies again…this time, hopefully, without any mishaps. We do make it back to base safely, but are a bit shaken from the experience. I vow to never ride in an air balloon again as we head to the bar for drinks to calm our nerves!
The last photo taken as we head past the lake and toward the hills to our fateful crash landing.
Honestly, it wasn’t a dreadful experience, I can look back now and laugh about it. At the time we were a bit traumatized but I do think I could manage to take another balloon ride. It was probably my big mouth asking “Have you ever crashed?” that set the stage for this ride.
That would have scared me away from balloons forever. Even the little ones you blow up yourself. I’d have been done with balloons forever. My daughter was going to do that when they went to Vegas in March but the day they were scheduled to do it was too windy. I told her next time don’t tell me until after you’ve done it.
Honestly, I was pretty traumatized for a while after that incident. I think I could go on one now. I think. I’d probably panic at the last minute, though.
Yep, I can totally see you as the person who would tempt fate by asking about a crash.
Thank you for not dying. That’s all I can say. Well, that and “I suppose a balloon-ride proposal is out too?”
Yep, that’s me. Always tempting fate.
You’re welcome. Um, yeah, not sure I’d be down for the balloon-ride proposal. I bet you could come up with something less death-defying!
You are so brave.
i would’ve done chunkies in my pants…
My first plane ride was at age 26 and i held my 5 year-old’s hand during take off.
She’s all, “You can let go Mama, please,” because i crushed her fingers white. And that was with big metal all around me, not all out in the open like a hot air balloon!
i did bungee jump once. But i was 17 and very, very crazy.
Oh, I was young…and fearless.
I have no problem being on planes…but being in a little wicker basket…um, yeah. Not very reassuring.
Eek. Bungee jumping + me = puking. No way, no how.
I never knew that! How wonderful! Love the pix of Chautauqua Lake. I went parasailing over the ocean and was scared but I’d do it again!
Oh…I NEVER told you this story? Holy hell. It was crazy. I’d love to parasail…at least if you fall you’re pretty much guaranteed to land in water!
OMG HORRIBLE!
Yeah…can you believe it?
How are you Kaylee? Are you home? I hope so!
Man, hot air balloons scare me. All I can think of when I see them is fire.
Yeah, the fire + the nylon…I was thinking, “this can’t be good”…
I’m rethinking my list now.
Love the photos… very pretty.
BTW.. thank you for the linklove ๐
Aww…sorry to scare you.
I’m glad I was able to get some photos…notice, there aren’t too many!
You’re very welcome for the linky-love. Thanks for inspiring me!
Loved the story! I’ve always wanted to go up in a hot air balloon but after this story and my ferris wheel ride, I’m re-thinking the whole thing. Loved the pics!
Thanks, bluesuit. Oh…go for it. It’s really soothing…once you’re in the air and realize you’re not going to plummet to earth!
Holy cow! That sounded pretty hairy! I think taking a hot air balloon ride would be fun but I would be too tempted to spit off the side. What am I, 12?
Yes, can you imagine? It was a scary, hairy ride.
Oh, I DID spit off the side. Heh. And I wasn’t 12.
Yes,, I can and now I want to go hot air balooning ๐ Yep, I am home but stil not doing all that well.!
Oh, you should go hot air ballooning. Glad you are home, but sorry to hear you’re not doing that well. Hope you feel better!
They say that any landing that you can walk away from is a good one. And if you can hit the bar afterwards, it’s a great one.
That is very true. And believe me, we couldn’t hit the bar fast enough after that experience! It did make for a great bar tale that evening, though.
SCARY. You have just reminded me as to why I am too afraid to try riding in a hot air balloon.
Gosh, didn’t want to scare everyone away from balloon rides. I’m sure it was just a fluke and it doesn’t happen very often – unless I’m in the hot air balloon with you!
I give you a lot of credit, I would have jumped out and found the chaser and asked for a ride back to base. I’m also, “always” the one who gets hurt in the group especially a basketball games where the ball seems magically attracted to my skull! A lot of people like thrills I am not one of them! Good for you for getting back in!
You know, I never thought about bailing. Hmmm…I must not have been that frightened by the experience. Yeah, I used to be all about the ‘thrills’. Not so much anymore.
Hey 2 — sounds like it was a lot of fun. The crashing part probably wasn’t the best, but man being up in the sky and looking down on the scenery with the air ripping through your hair at dusk sounds really great. I could use a trip like that. Do they provide parachutes or do I bring my own? ๐
WC
Hey Annie,
Yes, for the most part it was a great ride. No parachutes provided, you have to bring your own. I forgot to bring mine!
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
Quite the adventure. I probably would have elected to walk home from the crash site. ๐ You’re so brave. ๐
Naw, I wasn’t brave, just young and foolish!
Psh! No thanks!!