Up Up and Away

Look Up and one might see something wonderful!

Hot air balloons inspire awe and adventure. The sight of a colorful and majestic balloon crossing the sky is a sight to behold.  They are classified as lighter- than- air aircraft and have a long storied history.  Two balloon launches were achieved on a cool and quiet morning at Sugar Valley Airport the first weekend of June.  Conditions were ideal for the crews to gather and prepare the “envelope” for inflation.  They worked as a team expertly lead by the balloon pilot.  Not only did he give clear instructions but he inspired everyone with anticipation and wonder.  And then they were off.  The balloon enthusiasts are a tight-knit community that extends from coast to coast, and we are delighted to welcome them here at SVA.

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​A Prayer of the Balloonist
The winds have welcomed you with softness.
The sun has blessed you with its warm hands.
We have flown so high and so well
that God joins you in laughter,
And sets you gently back
​into the loving arms of Mother Earth.
~Author Unknown

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And here is a first hand account from one of the lucky ​guys (Daniel) who got to experience this adventure.

"So we got the balloon up and ascended around 8:30 this morning. ​The experience of getting airborne and being in the stillness of the lower atmosphere is quite unbelievable, really. Winds were actually moving us along pretty quickly towards Mocksville and after we'd traveled about 4 miles, Rich decided it would be prudent to land. We spotted a Church on 158 that has a large field next to its cemetery as an initial landing spot. Rich pulled the chute to let some air escape the top of the envelope but it became clear we would not be able to descend quickly enough to make it. So we drifted along the treetops, unable to see what was ahead, but confident a "spot" would emerge. 
 
As we cleared a line of trees, some stately homes were in front of us on a cul-de-sac. 

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​Rich exclaimed "I love cul-de-sacs! We're gonna land in the middle of that one!" I didn't quite believe him, but I was in no position to object.
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Rich masterfully put the balloon down precisely in the center of the cul-de-sac as a couple of bewildered neighbors came out of the surrounding homes. One man who was mostly dressed in a suit (but had only one sock on his right foot and barefoot on the left) walked out and asked if we were ok. He said, "I've never seen THAT before!" 
 
At the other house there was a guy on his phone videoing the whole thing. Funny thing is, the guy looked a lot like our friend D. Somehow, we managed to land that balloon in front of D's house. We caught up with D. and his wife. Landing in the front yard of our friend made the whole thing even more fun."