Saturday, day 2!!

day 2 was great … but you kind of have to divide it into 2 parts.

SO my dad told my mom some silly lie about why she needed to be ready to go at 430a. We all got up ridiculously early, and went out to wait in front of the lobby, where we were being picked up.

And the big van that picked us up had a trailer on the back, hauling a hot air balloon basket. At which point, my mom made THIS face saying “I knew you were lying!” …

She’s been wanting to go hot air ballooning for awhile. She hinted about it for her anniversary last December, and even blogged about it on Friday (#25). … So, you know this was pretty much the best bday present my dad could plan for her.

He spoils her.

Saturday was also Andrew’s 27th bday. My handsome boy. He doesn’t really go for a ton of attention and specialness on his birthday, so he was more than happy to share in the festivities for my mom’s bday.

I love this kid all much.

We had to go by a couple different sites before the pilots could decide on one (based on wind direction, etc). The company that we went with flies up to 5 separate balloons each day. Our pilot was named Daniel. (also heard him call Dan and Danny by the other guys) and he seemed really cool. He told us he was basically in charge of the equipment on the ground, he’s been with the company for 4 years, flying balloons for 11 or so.

He also has very similar mannerisms to Don Knotts.

He gets going in his tour guide voice, cause you know he probably talks a lot about the same things and tells the same stories every day. And when he gets into his story, in his tour guide voice, it’s a bit Don Knott-ish.

I liked him. He was cool.

Part of the preparation to fly, Daniel and his ‘flight crew’ (a guy named Roger) got the basket out of the trailer, got out the balloon itself, and unfurled it across the dirt. Kind of like a GIANT sleeping bag. I’m glad it wasn’t my job to get that balloon back in the bag.

Then he needed volunteers. As the balloon is filled with air, 2 people needed to hold open the ‘throat’ of the balloon.

Guess who we volunteered.



Once it was full of air (for the most part), Daniel told Kevin and Andrew to step away. Then without any warning – blasted the fire into the balloon to heat the air.

Super cool.

Then, we all got in the balloon and headed off! Yes, we got safety instructions etc. It was just the 5 of us and our pilot. That basket is much bigger than it looks, too.

In this pic, you can kind of see how high we are, cause there is still a balloon getting off the ground.

As we were flying, Daniel gave us a mini geology/geography/history lesson about the surrounding area. He could have been making it all up, but he sure seemed knowledgeable.

It’s about 645a or so at this point. Still a tired boy.

Balloon from below. Literally 2-3 feet above my head was the flame, heating the air as we went higher.

Our flight was just over an hour. Super fun. Didn’t get a great view of the sunrise, but it’s better that way. We would have been blinded. That’s why Andrew, Kevin and dad are wearing a hat, by the way. The company highly recommended you wear a hat and sunglasses. Turned out not to need them, but ah well.

Now, Daniel kind of warned us about landing. But not really thoroughly. We were pretty much all thrown around that basket haphazardly, inspite of holding on to the designated ropes. I may have bruised my legs or arms. And Andrew had a grocery bag of water bottles that just broke apart all over the floor.

It was pretty funny, though.

Daniel and Roger put the balloon away and everything in a remarkably short time.

After we landed, we drove a short ways to meet the other 4 pilots, crew and passengers, and the company served us a champagne breakfast. It was just a lovely touch at the end of the morning. Pastry and fruit. Champagne and orange juice.

I’d go up in a hot air balloon again.

Then, we went to a REAL breakfast (eggs and things). It was just ok. We blame Andrew for wanting Mexican food.

Then, back to the hotel for a nap. Kevin and Andrew played for awhile.

This bed has the ‘sleep number’ maxed out on Andrew’s side, and minimized on Kevin’s. Can you tell?

When I say we shared a room with Kevin, this is not what I mean.

Then we all 3 took a 3 hour nap. No idea what mom and dad did during this time. But I enjoyed my nap.

And that is why day 2 is broken up into 2 parts. It felt like a REALLY LONG day when you get up at 330a and don’t go to bed until 1130p.

The rest later.

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