Soon!
3 weeks ago
For my mom’s 50th birthday I bought a ride in a hot air balloon. We’re going next February!
People who have done this
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How to ride in a hot air balloon
It made me
awe struck
 "Idyllic, with an adventurous ending"
How I did it: We jumped in the balloon at the last possible second for the first ever (and maybe last) Great Salt Lake Balloon Festival on Antelope Island. It had been stormy all day and they didn't think the balloons were going to fly. Right before sunset there was a brief break in the weather and a few of the daring ballooners went up. It was the reddest sunset I have ever seen - the light over the water was amazing. The storm and the cross winds kicked back up on our descent and we did the last 50 yards to the ground nearly horizontal - it was a good dragging crash landing. Nobody seriously injured and all the better for a really unique story. Lessons & tips: Don't crash - crosswinds are crazy (avoid them). If you do crash, bend your knees. :) Resources: This happen for me purely by accident. I knew somebody who knew somebody who had a balloon and we showed up to take pictures just in time to see them take off with two people's worth of space in the basket - we jumped in and off we went. Hooray for serendipity! |
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More "How I Did It" stories
It made me
feel peaceful
How I did it: I went for a hot air balloon ride this morning just after dawn. I was driven out into the desert of New Mexico. I got to watch the balloon get blown up and come to life before entering the balloon and taking a ride. It was fantastic. It was so calm and peaceful and wonderful. Watching the balloon being blown up was such an experience, I’m so glad I got to see it.We took flight and came up over a few mountains, waiting until the very… Read how I did it…
It made me
whoa! 
How I did it: I actually only went up in a tethered line balloon at a balloon rally - which was cool. (Or rather hot - I'd never considered how hot I'd get when the burner fired!) Thinking about how my gut lurched with that experience has made me rethink ever going up for a ride in an untethered ballon. There's something terrifying about getting more than 40 feet off of the ground in an open basket! No thanks. Read how I did it…
Michael consistency
It made me
very happy
How I did it: i was 11. i befriended another boy whose parents happened to own a balloon. they offered me a ride.when i lived in Albuquerque i had some unique opportunities with hot air ballooning. "Balloon Fiesta"i was a part of a couple of balloon chase crews. i became friends with one balloon owner in particular, which afforded me the chance to be his crew chief at a balloon event in gunnison colorado. Read how I did it…
It made me
awe-struck
How I did it: I attended the annual balloon festival in Brattleboro (I think?) Vermont, in 1988. Was invited to go for a ride and I did! Fun times. Beautiful scenery! Fire and flight at the same time. Unforgettable! Read how I did it…
keegan727 needs to get a bunch of HW done!! And soon...
It made me
How I did it: I got the opportunity to ride in a hot air balloon two summers ago, at a balloon festival in town. I got to help set up the balloon, ride in it and also back it back up. At night, they inflate all the balloons and light them up for little kids to see. Read how I did it…
→ See all 7 "How I did it" stories
Entries
Bblouder Just B
Money
2 months ago
Looked into this and it could be from 200 to 800, do I want to spend the money?
aswedishlime is taking things one step at a time.
birthday wishes
2 months ago
My husband gave me a birthday card with a little dog being swept away by basic helium balloons, and said your present is what’s on the front of the card.
At first I said, “We’re getting a DOG?!”
Then, “You got me balloons?!”
He gave me an exasperated look, and I said, “Oh, are we going in a hot-air balloon??”
YAY! I can’t mark this as done yet, because what he gave me was only the “idea,” but it means he and I can both research where we could do it, and feel OK about the expense, since it was my birthday present – hooray! :)
...
2 months ago
I am a self confessed hopeless romantic. Yet I’ve been single these past years. Thoughts of serious relationship crossed my mind and I even found the right one for me. But I’ve been hurt really bad by same person over and over again. I’ve been through tough times. Which made me tough these past years. I stopped crying and it hardened my heart.
It’s been four years now. I thought I was doing good but no, I’m not. Had the chance to talk to EC last week and I started to break down. I did everything but nothing happened. I started crying again. Yeah I’m 25 and I cry like a baby.
I just though this goal about riding a hot air ballon is romantic. I’d love to go and ride one but I’ll make sure I have somebody special with me, I still hope it could be EC. If not, then I’ll give up doing this =(
...
2 months ago
I am a self confessed hopeless romantic. Yet I’ve been single these past years. Thoughts of serious relationship crossed my mind and I even found the right one for me. But I’ve been hurt really bad by same person over and over again. I’ve been through tough times. Which made me tough these past years. I stopped crying and it hardened my heart.
It’s been four years now. I thought I was doing good but no, I’m not. Had the chance to talk to EC last week and I started to break down. I did everything but nothing happened. I started crying again. Yeah I’m 25 and I cry like a baby.
I just though this goal about riding a hot air ballon is romantic. I’d love to go and ride one but I’ll make sure I have somebody special with me, I still hope it could be EC. If not, then I’ll give up doing this =(
Stupid Fog
3 months ago
I should have been flying high early yesterday morning but due to some fog the flight was canceled!!! I was really upset I was so looking forward to the balloon ride. Oh well just have to rebook and pray a little harder for good weather!
Goal accomplished!
3 months ago
I went for a hot air balloon ride this morning just after dawn. I was driven out into the desert of New Mexico. I got to watch the balloon get blown up and come to life before entering the balloon and taking a ride. It was fantastic. It was so calm and peaceful and wonderful. Watching the balloon being blown up was such an experience, I’m so glad I got to see it.
We took flight and came up over a few mountains, waiting until the very last second until we cleared the cliffs. We saw jack rabbits, dried up rivers, and sun bleached cattle bones. The highest we climbed was 1000 feet, it didn’t feel very high though. You hardly knew that you weren’t on the ground it was so calm.
The pilot was fantastic. He was sharp, funny, and knew what he was doing the entire time. He explained everything he was doing and even let the passengers squeeze the burners to let more gas into the balloon. He was wonderful, and full of good jokes and amazing stories.
After we descended, we had a champagne reception and a special toast. There were snacks and water as well. We heard a few more stories and were then rewarded with certificates confirming that we took a balloon ride. He also told us the history behind ballooning and the traditions associated with it.
I highly recommend hot air ballooning to anyone interested, even those with a fear of heights. It’s an otherwordly feeling, like nothing else I’ve even experienced!
Here’s the company I flew with:
www.santafeballoons.com
Only 4 more days!!!
3 months ago
This Saturday is the big day!!! And I can’t wait. The only thing I’m a little worried about is that they say its going to rain here all week :( I’m really hoping their wrong!!!!
→ See all 291 entries
Ask for advice: Get help from people who've accomplished this goal
 Arvin
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Sue =) asks,
“Who much did you pay for your hot air balloon ride?”
— 9 months ago |
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 Moorhead
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adidacm asks,
“Where is the best place to go in Colorado? I'll be in the SW part of the state soon.”
— 2 years ago |
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 Cambridge
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funkybuns asks,
“Can anyone recommend a good operator for a first family flight in East Anglia (UK)? Little one is 6.”
— 2 years ago |
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 Seattle
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Buster Benson asks,
“Where are the best hot air balloon rides?”
— 4 years ago |
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