Balloon Fiesta-School Day

I am so, so happy we decided to come into the fiesta two days early. We had an quick drive in and check in was fast and easy...no waiting. However, the next day (Friday) there were long lines and longer waits; and we were scheduled to come in until Saturday!

So Friday the Fiesta schedules a day for balloons to go to local schools and inflate their balloons and take off from school grounds. It's a chance for kids and their parents who can't afford to go into the balloon park ($6 a person) to see a balloon up close and understand what it takes to inflate them. The veterans of the event encouraged us rookies to participate and learn how things work. Jim and I had a chance to help two balloons inflate and helped pack up two balloons....one on the media of a highway, no less.

It was the maiden voyage for one of the balloons - pretty special. The scenes from the inside when the builder and owner walked around inside was awesome.

Then there was the burn to heat the air which brings the "envelope" upright.

Then you are "standing up" all pretty and tall.

Isn't it a pretty balloon!!! It belongs to Daniel Liberti, the youngest son of Mike and T Liberti. Their oldest son, Chris, also has a balloon, so it is a threesome family and they all like to balloon together...really special family.

Lesle got to go on a ride with Mike, the father, in his balloon "Morning Star"

I also got a short ride, but after I got in we only traveled about 200 feet and the wind shifted and the pilot said "that's all the flying for today" and we descended and deflated on the road.

Jim and I learned a lot this day about the whole balloon operation and how and why you do certain things. It is hard work and we had to take a nap in the afternoon, but it was fun and definitely a strike out on our "bucket list"

Remember, you are loved!