Dawn Patrol sets off at 5:45 am to test winds
It was a spectacular way to start the day seeing the 8 balloons glow one by one in introduction then glow together in the early morning hours. They lifted off from each end of the line, it gave me chills of amazement!
And Mara slept
When she awoke to see the giant balloons setting up and lifting up around us, she was pleasantly astonished.
Keeping warm was the goal, and I think we did okay.
Mark volunteered to be on a chase crew and was so lucky to have this pilot walk in just as he went to volunteer, needing one crew member. We learned quickly how little we knew about balooning. Each Balloon has a name. Our balloon is called "Pondemonium".
Laying out the tarp and setting up the basket. The other chase crew members were Janet, (mom) and Brad from Minnesota, and the family of the pilot, Al. Dawnna was the co-pilot and led the chase crew with her mom and 2 amazing daughters.
Mark was grinning ear to ear all day with the opportunity to be so close and to help with the chase crew. 
It was all pretty spectacular!
These are more the commercial balloons, they have huge 8 or so passenger baskets and are about 4 times the size of the balloon we were helping with.
The balloons went in waves, and it was so cool as the sky started to fill with the balloons.
Every time a balloon would take to the air, the crown would cheer.
Mara was all jabber as she saw them going "up up"
There were many special shape balloons, including this Nemo.
The pink one is called "When pigs fly", the one with the pumpkin is called "4 seasons" I think. Each pilot has cards like baseball cards, with a picture of the balloon and info about it on the back to give away. So, we had fun when we weren't helping out collecting cards of some of our favorite balloons. There were over 550 balloons this year, and we didn't get anywhere near that many cards, so I think we'll just have to go back.
This is the Creamland cow, and it takes over 60 people to help set it up to fly compared with the average balloons that require 5 or 6 people. You can see some of the balloons stretched out on the ground ready to get the signal from the Zebra, or Ballooning Official to go cold-meaning, start filling the balloon by fan with cold air before going hot in preparation to fly.
Getting ready to go cold. Mark got to help hold the mouth of the balloon.
Going cold.
Al powering up the fan.
Brad helping to hold the mouth. You can see through the mouth to Dawnna in orange holding the crown line and putting in the top of the balloon so the air will stay in.
Mark and Brad holding the mouth, the top of the balloon being fastened inside.
Happy Birthday Mark!
Some of the balloons going up around us, notice the Pepsi can in the air. Most of these are the international balloons. The jester with arms in the bottom right is a french balloon. The urn looking one might be from Greece I think, and another two from Spain and England. The far left of the picture is the edge of our balloon Pondemonium.
Going hot! They leave the balloon and basket on the ground and as the heat fills the balloon, the balloon will rise and help tip the basket upright too.
Far right is the balloon from Spain.
Waiting the Zebra to tell us time to go.
Mara watching the commotion. Red baron in the background with Snoopy.
Up up! Far right is Pondemonium. Bottom is my favorite french balloon. When I asked one of the frenchman for one of his cards, he told me he didn't speak english. He then told pointed to his cheek and said "kiss" and so I kissed a frenchman to get a baloon card. It was really funny.
Loading the truck and away they go to chase the balloon.
Mark was so enthralled to be so involved. It was wonderful to see him enjoying himself so much. Mara and I had a grand time being so close as well. Pondemonium is the second from the top on the right.
It was all pretty spectacular!
These are more the commercial balloons, they have huge 8 or so passenger baskets and are about 4 times the size of the balloon we were helping with.
The balloons went in waves, and it was so cool as the sky started to fill with the balloons.
Every time a balloon would take to the air, the crown would cheer.
Mara was all jabber as she saw them going "up up"
There were many special shape balloons, including this Nemo.
The pink one is called "When pigs fly", the one with the pumpkin is called "4 seasons" I think. Each pilot has cards like baseball cards, with a picture of the balloon and info about it on the back to give away. So, we had fun when we weren't helping out collecting cards of some of our favorite balloons. There were over 550 balloons this year, and we didn't get anywhere near that many cards, so I think we'll just have to go back.
This is the Creamland cow, and it takes over 60 people to help set it up to fly compared with the average balloons that require 5 or 6 people. You can see some of the balloons stretched out on the ground ready to get the signal from the Zebra, or Ballooning Official to go cold-meaning, start filling the balloon by fan with cold air before going hot in preparation to fly.
Getting ready to go cold. Mark got to help hold the mouth of the balloon.
Going cold.
Al powering up the fan.
Brad helping to hold the mouth. You can see through the mouth to Dawnna in orange holding the crown line and putting in the top of the balloon so the air will stay in.
Mark and Brad holding the mouth, the top of the balloon being fastened inside.
Happy Birthday Mark!
Some of the balloons going up around us, notice the Pepsi can in the air. Most of these are the international balloons. The jester with arms in the bottom right is a french balloon. The urn looking one might be from Greece I think, and another two from Spain and England. The far left of the picture is the edge of our balloon Pondemonium.
Going hot! They leave the balloon and basket on the ground and as the heat fills the balloon, the balloon will rise and help tip the basket upright too.
Far right is the balloon from Spain.
Waiting the Zebra to tell us time to go.
Mara watching the commotion. Red baron in the background with Snoopy.
Up up! Far right is Pondemonium. Bottom is my favorite french balloon. When I asked one of the frenchman for one of his cards, he told me he didn't speak english. He then told pointed to his cheek and said "kiss" and so I kissed a frenchman to get a baloon card. It was really funny.
Loading the truck and away they go to chase the balloon. 
Mark was so enthralled to be so involved. It was wonderful to see him enjoying himself so much. Mara and I had a grand time being so close as well. Pondemonium is the second from the top on the right.
2 comments:
Fun!!!! Happy late Birthday Mark!! I guess I haven't seen your blog for awhile!! There is a treasure trove of wonderful pictures!! I love them!!!
This will definitely have to go on our list of things to do in the future. Much more fantastic than the one we have here! Thanks for the pictures!
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