Friday, November 04, 2005
Serene

That's the best word I can use to describe our hot air balloon flight. Other appropriate words would be tranquil, peaceful, and awe-inspiring.

I'd originally planned to surprise Mark with a sunset flight last Friday, but the forecast called for high winds, so we changed the flight to Friday morning. Which meant I didn't have a babysitter scheduled and also meant that the whole family had to get up very early. I had warned Mark ahead of time that we'd have to get up early, but I kept our destination a secret. We left our house about an hour before our departure time and I bribed my two sleepy male passengers with a stop by Krispy Kreme for doughnuts and hot chocolate (in preparation for the 30 degree weather.) When we pulled up to the offices of Mt. Pisgah Balloons Mark looked a little incredulous at the idea of taking a hot air balloon ride, but he was a good sport and willing to give it a try.

The staff was soooooo welcoming and friendly and they even had toys for Cole to play with as they talked to us about what to expect, what to wear, etc. Then we loaded the carseats in the back of their Expedition (with basket and balloon in tow) and headed to the launch sight. Mark helped hold the balloon as it inflated, we posed for a few photos in the basket, and before we even knew what was happening we were up in the air! It is one of the smoothest rides I've ever taken, and because you're gliding at the speed of the wind you're hardly even aware that you're moving. Except, of course, when you look down and notice that the houses and people are becoming smaller!



The flight was the perfect way to start our morning. The air was chilly and the ground was covered in frost, but we were quickly warmed by the burners in the balloon as well as the rising sun. It was breathtaking to rise up out of the misty valley, be eye-level with the Blue Ridge Moutains, and then feel the sunshine on our faces as we floated above the mountaintops.


We flew with another balloon that carried 8 passengers, which was fun for us because then we had a balloon to photograph. (The only hard part about being in a balloon is that it's impossible to photograph yourself and the balloon in its entirety when you're in it!)


We went up to 4500 ft or so, then swooped down above the trees so Cole could catch some leaves and so we could spot deer leaping over bushes near the quarry.



After an hour in the air we landed near an elementary school (we could just picture the kids looking out the windows at the balloon and the teachers getting tired of the disruption!) We were sad that the flight was over, as we probably could have stayed up in the air for hours, enjoying the sights and sounds below us. It truly felt like we were gliding in the air and we would definitely do it again in a heartbeat (if funds and time allowed, of course!).


So that's the story of our flight. This Friday really is not as exciting in comparison, except that we're preparing for SOMEONE'S 3rd birthday tomorrow. Oh! One more thing - when I first saw our balloon it totally made me think of this::
  • Elmer


    • Happy Friday!

    Labels:

    posted by Joanna Bolick @ 8:23 AM  
    24 Comments:

    • At 9:20 AM, Anonymous Jessi said…

      Gosh, your balloon was awesome in color! Too bad the second ballon wasn't the same! :) LOVE the family pic together! You got some great shots!
      Happy Birthday Cole tomorrow!!!!!Jaden would be there in a second if you didn't live 3000 miles away! :)

       

    • At 9:55 AM, Blogger Jaime said…

      WOW!!!! Those photos are breathtaking!!! My husband would LOVE this, as would my girls, but I would be terrified LOL!!! So glad you had a wonderful time!!

       

    • At 10:00 AM, Anonymous Wendy Reed (Wishin4MoreTime) said…

      First of all WOW WOW WOW!! You got the most incredibly amazing photos. I am so jealous!!! Sounds like a fabulous time!

       

    • At 10:19 AM, Anonymous Torm said…

      oh man oh man oh man. This has been on my list of things I want to do since I was but a girl in high school (many many years ago...) I wish my hubby would give me such a surprise! I'm too frugal to go out and get it myself! LOL Darn my practical nature. pshaw! LOVE THE PICTURES! And what a bonus to be able to go with another balloon, it sure made for great photo ops! Oh...and I'd be SO nervous taking one of my kids up...I don't know if I could go that far. GREAT ENTRY!

       

    • At 10:32 AM, Blogger Heather Melzer said…

      Your photos are amazing, Joanna! What an awesome experience!

       

    • At 11:10 AM, Blogger Ashley said…

      Amazing photos! Sounds like an incredible experience! :)



      Ashley.

       

    • At 11:34 AM, Anonymous Nas said…

      WOW that looks like an amazing experience. What a cool ballon you rode it! I am such a punk I probably would have been sitting with my eyes closed LOL

      so glad I found your blog!!
      Nas

       

    • At 11:44 AM, Blogger shelby said…

      wow....gorgeous pictures...awesome :)

       

    • At 12:15 PM, Anonymous Chiara said…

      OMGosh how totally awesome I would love to do something like that

       

    • At 3:29 PM, Anonymous Sherry said…

      OH MY GOSH> I've always wanted to do something like this and your pictures made me FEEL like I was experiencing it with you. How awesome was that!!!!

      Sherry

       

    • At 6:20 PM, Blogger themacmomma said…

      Holy crapola girl! It looks like heaven! You captured the flight beautifully both in words and photos. You are quite the woman!

       

    • At 7:50 PM, Anonymous Shelley H. said…

      Awesome!! Taking a hot air balloon ride is on my to do list before I die.
      I can live through you though. He He!!
      By the way, I love your blog and always anxiously flip through my scrapbooking magazines to look for your wonderful creations and tips.
      I brag to everyone that I went to school with that famous gal! Hee Hee!

       

    • At 8:19 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

      very cool - looks like a blast!! great pictures!

      Nicole

       

    • At 10:54 PM, Anonymous Kate said…

      WOW- now that is something I have always wantedto do- totally!

       

    • At 12:12 AM, Anonymous Shanna said…

      HOLY SCHMOLEY!!!!!!!!!!!! How fun would that be!!! Great shots Joanna!!! I just love your blog!

       

    • At 1:32 AM, Anonymous Kah-Mei said…

      WOW Joanna, your pictures came out great, love the scenery!

      Kah-Mei

       

    • At 7:36 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

      Joanna......you amaze me. You think it and then you do it, no bars hold!I LOVE that you are the BEST secret keeper EVER!!!!
      Now...I am showing this to my dh, I want I WANT!! If he won't join me, will you!?
      hugs,
      j

       

    • At 11:49 PM, Anonymous Heather Moll said…

      Very, very cool! I saw some hot air ballons out a few weeks ago and thought, 'gosh, I'd love to do that!' Your amazing photos make me want to go even more now! What a fabulous surprise!

       

    • At 6:15 PM, Blogger Erica said…

      Wow - sounds so awesome! Flying in a hot air balloon is DEFINITLEY on my "to do before I die" list :p

      Love your pictures - increidble!

       

    • At 9:12 AM, Anonymous melanie said…

      your photos turned out fabulous, J - as i knew they would! :) so glad you shared.

       

    • At 11:55 AM, Anonymous Brandi said…

      Joanna, how amazing! You have to get the best wife award for this week! What a surprise! The pics are breath taking!

       

    • At 7:17 AM, Anonymous beth said…

      We are planning a trip to the Biltmore within the next couple of weekends. Is this place where you take the hot air balloon rides within distance of that area? The way you've described the ride, this is now on my to do list!
      beth

       

    • At 11:03 AM, Blogger Raven said…

      Those photos are AMAZING!!! What a fabulous gift... glad you had such a great time!

       

    • At 11:31 AM, Anonymous Lee Anne said…

      Oh my gosh, Joanna! This is incredible. The pictures are beautiful and how cool that you got to photograph the other balloon...love the photos at eye level. Are you at all afraid of heights?

       
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        Hi! I'm Joanna, author of this journal. My husband Mark and I are photographers in Asheville, North Carolina. Most recently we collaborated on a 12 week beginner photography course, the contents of which you can find
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