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Discussion Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: CharmedPhoenix on June 05, 2011, 03:05:04 pm

Title: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: CharmedPhoenix on June 05, 2011, 03:05:04 pm
I took my first hot air balloon ride in 1987, in a balloon named Pysanka, as part of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.  I was hooked. ;D

Three years later I signed up to be crew and crewed for various Fiesta and local balloons for 15 years. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: sgluckadoo on June 05, 2011, 04:03:51 pm
No, I have not, but have always wanted to. We sometimes see balloons in the distance. They are so pretty to see in the sky.
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: mrisha on June 05, 2011, 05:14:43 pm
No, and never will.  I hate heights.
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: gaylasue on June 06, 2011, 07:46:01 am
No, but I think it would be real fun.  We have a friend who goes down for the balloon festival just about every year.
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: kapeh12 on June 06, 2011, 07:53:57 am
I haven't yet, but definitely want to try.  We got our grandpa a ticket to take a ride and he loved it - said how quite and peaceful it was up there.  I know we have some balloon ride places in the area, so I just need to save up a little and find some time to take a ride.
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: Elizabethar on June 06, 2011, 07:58:17 am
Not yet, I would love to one day, I love looking at them up in the sky they are so pretty.
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: Gerianne on June 06, 2011, 08:05:44 am
When I was a teenage, I wanted to go in a hot air balloon. I didn't want to part with the $75 for the ride. That was back in the 70's. It must be a lot more expensive!
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: Tinkerbell85 on June 06, 2011, 08:07:36 am
Lol no I have not flown in a hot air balloon. I really don't want too but maybe oneday I'll try it just to say I did it. :)
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: lglizete on June 06, 2011, 08:14:57 am
I am terrified of heights but I have always wanted to fly in one -- its on my bucket list.
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: tjshorty on June 06, 2011, 08:19:48 am
That is so cool that you did that.  I have never been on  one.  I have always wanted to.  I think that's a bit silly of me because I have no desire to get on a plane.
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: tjshorty on June 06, 2011, 08:21:01 am
I would also like to know how much does it cost and how do I find out where the closest one is?
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: discardedheart on June 06, 2011, 03:33:50 pm
i've never flown in one,
but would LOVE to try it one day :)
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: CharmedPhoenix on June 06, 2011, 03:49:28 pm
I am terrified of heights but I have always wanted to fly in one -- its on my bucket list.

My local team and I have encountered several people who said they were afraid of heights, but if they tried it they found they loved it.  Many people are really afraid of edges, like me.  Since the floor and sides of the gondola are solid, as in I can't see through them, I feel secure.  You might try a short flight with a local team.  My pilots would agree to land if the passenger couldn't take it.  I remember only one passenger who actually needed that.  :wave:
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: CharmedPhoenix on June 06, 2011, 04:09:00 pm
I would also like to know how much does it cost and how do I find out where the closest one is?

We've gotten balloon teams from all fifty states at Fiesta.  I don't know which state you're in, but first try looking up balloon rides in your phone book or online for your area.  You could also go to a local hotel and look for ride balloon brochures.  The price varies, but some pilots lay out a champagne brunch afterwards, etc. so call them all to compare.  All ride balloon pilots must have a commercial license.

On the other hand you could befriend a local pilot.  You might even crew on occasion.  If there's a balloon rally in your area you could volunteer to crew the event.  It's not a guarantee you'll get a ride, but most pilots like to take up first-timers and crew. :wave:
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: randyyono96 on June 06, 2011, 05:27:32 pm
no i have not but i always wanted to try it but i really hate heights and it seems scary but the best moments come from the craziest ideas  :peace: :star:
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: CharmedPhoenix on June 07, 2011, 05:16:51 pm
no i have not but i always wanted to try it but i really hate heights and it seems scary but the best moments come from the craziest ideas  :peace: :star:

If you've ridden in an elevator you've already experienced the sensation of ascent and descent.  Some landings are bumpy, but sometimes you go softly into the hands of the crew.  It's absolutely peaceful and calm up there floating along.  Great photo op.  If there are houses where people are waking up you can hear everything they say.  Of course the dogs need to sound the alarm.  Cows don't look up, they just move to avoid the shadow. ;)
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: AMBER6446 on June 07, 2011, 08:10:54 pm
i have never flown in one, but i think it would be soo much fun
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: bschumacher on June 07, 2011, 08:24:49 pm
No, but I hope I get to some day.
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: sweatytree on June 08, 2011, 08:30:52 pm
Now that is a great question.  I have never flown in a hot air balloon, and am pretty sure I never will.  It sounds kinda expensive.
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: tzs on June 08, 2011, 11:02:11 pm
I haven't flown in one, but I lived in Albuquerque, and I always went to see the hot air balloons when they went up! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: CharmedPhoenix on June 10, 2011, 05:44:46 pm
Now that is a great question.  I have never flown in a hot air balloon, and am pretty sure I never will.  It sounds kinda expensive.

The most expensive flights are from Fiesta field during Fiesta.  Other times and places are cheaper.  The cheapest is to get an invite from a pilot or crew person to join them and fly for free.
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: shepherdchik on June 10, 2011, 07:23:24 pm
I have never flown in one but would love to see them all take off at a ballooning festival. There is one every year and I need to make time to go and see them, I'm sure it's beautiful :)
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: angsilva2000 on June 10, 2011, 08:56:45 pm
I never flew in a hot air balloon an i never will. im afraid of heights.
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: teecriz on June 10, 2011, 09:40:50 pm
sex in a balloon...woot woot
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: jcribb16 on June 10, 2011, 09:55:58 pm
I like your question - it's different and not one easy to think of!  I have never flown in one.  I'm too leery of risking myself with heights.  But they are beautiful!  In one neighborhood we lived in several years ago, there used to be balloons that would fly in a path that always always seem to go over our houses.  We'd hear the whooshing sound and would all run out to watch and wave at them.  One time one of them came a little too close to the roof tops  - they were having problems with the wind that day.  That was a weird moment.

Seeing all the balloons in the big field area getting ready to take off is really neat.  It's amazing to see all the different creations and colors they come up with.  :)
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: dreamongirl on June 11, 2011, 08:50:47 am
no and never plan on doing it. scares me!
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: sommap on June 11, 2011, 09:24:37 am
I have never been in one and really have no desire to do so. 

Quite a few years ago I was in my house and all of a sudden it seemed like a big dark cloud was going over the house.  I went outside and there were at least 20 hot air balloons going over, some of them not very high.  It was a fantastic sight. 
Title: Re: Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon?
Post by: 2getherwewin on June 12, 2011, 02:50:27 am
No, but would like to one day.