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#359815 - 05/16/05 06:02 PM Hot Air Balloon Ride
MelissaAnn Offline
Platinum Poster
MelissaAnn
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 537
Washington State
We are going on a road trip in June and my husband has scheduled a Hot Air Balloon Ride to see Mt. Rushmore for our 1 year anniversary. I am a little scared. Has anyone ever done this? Have any good stories that might make me feel a little better?

Thanks!
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#359816 - 05/16/05 06:38 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
deppfan Offline
Power Poster
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,184
All over the map.
No experience, but wow, how exciting. Just think about the pictures! Do a little online browsing and I bet you will feel better about the whole thing. Have a blast and let us know how it goes.
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On the road again.....I just can't wait to get on the road again.

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#359817 - 05/16/05 06:53 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
LoisLane Offline
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LoisLane
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,570
Wisteria Lane..
I took a one-hour hot air balloon ride in Aspen many years ago. It was wonderful. The ride was smooth and easy and it was really interesting to watch the balloon being inflated. You will enjoy the ride.
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#359818 - 05/16/05 06:58 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Bones Offline
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Bones
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,020
Land of Enchantment
We have an annual balloon rally in my town for the 4th of July holiday and I was able to go up a few years ago. I loved it! It wasn't scary at all, and it is soooo peaceful up there.
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#359819 - 05/16/05 07:04 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Bballfanofhld Offline
Junior Member
Bballfanofhld
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 39
Texas
I went on a ride. It is quite. You feel like you are just floating through the air. The pilot was fantastic. I would do it again if I have the chance.
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My mind not only wanders....sometimes it leaves completely....Onward thru the fog
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#359820 - 05/16/05 07:06 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Darkhorse Offline
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Darkhorse
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 501
out of my mind
As someone with friends who own/operate a HAB, if the folks your DH made the appointment with have any sense at all they won't take you up unless the conditions are just right. If the conditions are right - you'll have the time of your life
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#359821 - 05/16/05 07:23 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
E.E.G.B Offline
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E.E.G.B
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,726
the sandy shore
I have ALWAYS wanted to do this! Please report back after and tell us how fabulous it was.
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I disbelieved what he was saying so hard, I probably created an alternate universe where it wasn't true.

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#359822 - 05/16/05 07:35 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
HRH Dawnie Offline
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HRH Dawnie
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,353
Anchorage Alaska
Can't be worse than a 2 seater with duct tape on the wings

Think positive thoughts:

Fact: Hot air ballooning has been around since 1783.
Positive Thought: They've probably worked out the kinks since then. Although...interesting history, the first air disaster known was in 1785 when a hot air balloon crashed into a chimney in Ireland, toppeling over, and leading a fire that distroyed over 100 houses in the tiny town. But then again, like I say...they've probably worked out the kinks by now

Fact: The worst accident in a hot air balloon occured in 1989 in Australia. 13 people in total were killed when the balloons took off within mins of each other, tearing each others fabric.
Positive Thoughts: You won't be in Australia, and they now make the balloons wait a few more mins for safety Oh and that's only 16 years ago...we're probably not due for another "big one" for a bit.

Fact: During the Civil War, Hot Air Balloons were used for Surveillance
Positive Thought: I could only find records of two crashing. Odds are...there were at least three flying during the war

Fact: A 1998 study of hot air balloon crashes determined that this type of flight is really pretty darned safe. An average of only 9.6 people per year come close to meeting their maker in hot air balloon crashes. It was determined that collision with the ground was the most significant predictor of a fatality or serious injury in 85.1% of these incidents.
Positive Thoughts: You're flying late in the season, (it begins in earnst in April). There has already been one crash, involving 11 people who were all injured or worse, so, odds are, the year's statistics have been filled. And then the other great option.....to avoid "collision with the ground" ask for a water landing, thereby reducing your chances of "issues of concern" some 85.1%.

And the last and final fact/positive thought:

You're much more likely to crash on the road while driving to the hot air balloon launch site than you are while in the balloon. It's actually the safest (statistic wise) way to travel in the air)

There now....feel better?

I have been in a helecopter, many many small planes, jets, commercial and private, and on a dog sled. My ride on a hot air balloon some ten years ago was MUCHHHHHH more fun, and felt quite a bit safer
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#359823 - 05/17/05 04:25 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
MelissaAnn Offline
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MelissaAnn
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 537
Washington State
Thank everyone, I am getting more and more excited!
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"Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don't be mean when you say it."

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#359824 - 05/17/05 11:46 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
CRAatBOK Offline

Power Poster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,172
Further South than I wanna be.
I envy you, it sounds wonderful.
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#359825 - 05/19/05 04:28 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Quadspapa Offline
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Quadspapa
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,275
Quadrupletville, Texas
Did you see the HAB accident in Louisiana yesterday. It hit electrical lines and the basket caught on fire and the pilot and passenger either jumped out or fell to their deaths. It was caught on videotape...
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"I don''t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." - - Will Rogers (still relevant today)

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#359826 - 05/19/05 04:38 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
E.E.G.B Offline
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E.E.G.B
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,726
the sandy shore
You're not helping.
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I disbelieved what he was saying so hard, I probably created an alternate universe where it wasn't true.

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#359827 - 05/19/05 07:05 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
MelissaAnn Offline
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MelissaAnn
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 537
Washington State
Thanks for the support!
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"Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don't be mean when you say it."

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#359828 - 05/19/05 07:16 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Anonymous
Unregistered

Wear a sweater - it's colder up there than on the ground!

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#359829 - 05/21/05 02:16 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
slick Offline
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slick
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,030
somewhere out there
I took a balloon ride a few years ago and it was great. I'd love to do it again. We went up very high and I am scared of heights, but it was very exciting.

Go, enjoy, HAVE FUN!!!
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it ain't over til it's over...

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#359830 - 05/23/05 04:04 AM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Princess Romeo Offline

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Princess Romeo
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 8,272
Where the heart is
A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts: "Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?"

The man below says: "Yes, you're in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field."

"Thank you very much indeed. You must be a Compliance Officer," says the balloonist.

"I am," replies the man. "How did you know?"

"Well," says the balloonist, "you've given me a smart-arsed response to a straightforward question, and although everything you have told me is technically correct, it's of no use to anyone!"

The man below hollers back, "You must be in Senior Management at a bank."

"I am," replies the balloonist, "but how can you tell?"

"Well", says the man, "you don't know where you are, or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were before we met, but now it's my fault."
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#359831 - 05/23/05 12:33 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Retired DQ Offline
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Retired DQ
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,766
Turnpike Exit 10
So, how was it???
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#359832 - 05/23/05 06:11 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Kathleen O. Blanchard Offline

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Kathleen O. Blanchard
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,293
Very good, Bonnie!
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#359833 - 05/25/05 04:17 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Anonymous
Unregistered

We took my mom for her 80th birthday 3 years ago. She had a blast! My kids both went (they were 16 & 19 at the time) & they loved it too. Have a great time, what a beautiful place to see from the air.

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#359834 - 05/27/05 06:29 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Anonymous
Unregistered

Sorry for late reply - just got back from Napa where I took my first ride! Awesome!!! It really is floating on air. Enjoy.

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#359835 - 05/27/05 06:30 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
FlBankerGal Offline
Member
FlBankerGal
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 91
Forgot to log-in. Sorry!

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#359836 - 05/27/05 10:24 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
MelissaAnn Offline
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MelissaAnn
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 537
Washington State
I am glad to here it! I leave 2 weeks from today and my ride is on the 12th. I am very excited now!
_________________________
"Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don't be mean when you say it."

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#359837 - 06/10/05 09:52 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
MelissaAnn Offline
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MelissaAnn
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 537
Washington State
Well, I am heading out in about an hour for my long, long drive to South Dakota. We are driving through the night tonight so that we can be there by tomorrow night. I have to be at the hot air balloon place at 5:30 on Sunday morning. Thanks for all the happy thoughts! I will let you know how it goes when I get back!
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"Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don't be mean when you say it."

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#359838 - 06/13/05 04:07 PM Re: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Cat Woman Offline
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Cat Woman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,342
New England
MelissaAnn, I want to hear about that balloon ride AND your wedding!!!

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