fun memories

Today is Hot Air Balloon Day.  I've only taken one hot air balloon ride in my life, so far.  I would go again given the chance.  For years I've enjoyed watching hot air balloons float by.  When we lived on Tonkel Road, several balloons would float over during any summer.  Four years ago a friend an I spent a long weekend at the International Balloon Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  It was a fabulous show with hundreds of balloons, no two alike, taking off early each morning and glowing in the evenings.  I found it fascinating that these balloons could take off, go with the air currents and then come back to the same spot,  No motors, but they could catch the early morning winds going one way, then go up higher and catch another current coming back the other way.  This phenomenon doesn't happen in many places which is why this festival is so popular.  I would have gone for a ride that weekend except for two things.  One, my friend is afraid of heights and two, the cost was rediculous.  
Two years ago, the same friend and I went to Australia, and there, finally, I got my balloon ride.  She did not go along but several others in our group did.  It was a large balloon with a rectangular basket (gondola) which carried 17 people, eight along each side, and the pilot in the middle.  There were some challenges involved. The first one was getting into the basket.  It had five foot high sides which felt nice and safe once you were in.  to get in, though, I had to climb up and over and drop in with the help of some hand and foot holds. I did it, on my own, but it wasn't a graceful picture.  Once we were all in we were given instructions on where to stand, and how to position ourselves for landing.  It did give me pause when we were told not to let go if the basket tipped over on landing, and definitely not to jump out.  Well, the basket didn't tip and it was a wonderful 45 minute ride over the edge of the Australian outback.  We saw kangaroos and other wild life and wonderful distant and close up views.  One thing did surprise me a little.  I had always heard that hot air balloon rides were very quiet, and they were, except when the pilot pulled the valve or lever or whatever that allowed hot air to blast up into the balloon.  That was a loud noise, Thankfully it never lasted long.  All in all a great experience.  I'm glad it has its own special day.