Thinking about flying?

I hope that by sharing my story I will convince you that flying in a hot air balloon is an experience like no other; a thrill you definitely wouldn't want to miss. I wasn't crazy about the idea of floating in the air with nothing but a wicker basket between me and the ground. On the morning of my first flight I was as nervous as they come. But my fears quickly dissolved just moments after take-off. Because the balloon moves with the wind rather than through it, there is no sense of motion or turbulence. The ride is actually quite peaceful. The view alone, is enough to make you forget your worries.

A well-trained and experienced pilot will navigate the flight with your safety and comfort in mind. Typically an adventure begins at sunrise as this is when the winds are most stable. Keeping with tradition, the flight ends with a champagne toast. On the earliest flights, champagne was brought by aeronauts as a way to calm angry landowners, which allowed the balloon to take flight. Over the years, the tradition has become a way to commemorate a safe landing after an enjoyable trip.

The next page tells my story, about my first ride in a big balloon.