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The Rest of The Story
OK, here's the truth. Six family members, another couple, and two pilots took off
about 8:00 from somewhere northwest of Phoenix. It was a beautiful morning, even if it was a little nippy. Of course I had not come
to Phoenix dressed for a balloon ride - hence the sport coat - it was all I brought.
Most balloons you see are smaller than the one we rode. Since we were so many people,
they got out the biggest balloon generally flown. They impressed us with the facts: it would hold a gazillion cubic feet of hot air, basket
weighed tons of pounds, so on and so forth. The basket could hold 12 passengers and two crew. Luckily we were only 8 passengers - so
it wasn't very crowded.
A recommendation to all - give it a try. Once in the air, it is eerily quiet drifting with
the wind, punctuated by the occasional deafening blast of the gas jets. Hint: wear a hat, not because it's cold, but the heat
from the flame will scorch your head.
We bobbed up and down in the sky looking for the right current of air. Most of the ride was
very, very still. There was no wind. But we were traveling in the desired direction, and heading for the planned landing zone.
The ride lasted a little over an hour. As we approached the landing site, just over a water canal and a fence, the wind started to pick
up. Fine time to do that.
Closing in on the landing, with a little more speed than we wanted, the pilot gave us the
standard landing instructions: Face away from the direction of travel, bend knees slightly, and hold on to the basket. He did
forget, seats forward and tray tables in upright and locked position. He also forgot to tell us to bend over, grab our ankles, and kiss .
. . .
We were picking up speed. As we bounced off the desert floor (gouging a ditch,
uncovering an ancient artifact. Linda has it, ask her about it.) two ground crew members jumped onto the side of the basket to try to help
stop/stabilize it as we were being drug across the field. The basket was tipping over about 45 degrees. We bounced a couple more times, drug
some more, and then they must have opened the vents of the balloon as it collapsed. No more dragging, but the basket was past 45 degrees,
so over we went.
Now all of this is really no big deal, but it is not the type of landing that goes into their
promotional videos. We were laying on top of each other, clinging tightly to the basket. After awkwardly crawling out, retrieving
cameras and stuff strewn about, everything was fine. No injuries, no regrets.
Matter of fact, everyone kind of enjoyed the 'crash'. It really wasn't much of a crash,
but Linda immediately tagged it as such. She likes this type of action. Remember she bungee jumped in San Antonio, now she's talking
sky diving for the Michigan reunion next year.
After the crew got most of balloon packed away, they set out a breakfast table with rolls, juice
and champagne. With a balloonist's poem, the pilot entertained us with stories and toasted our good landing. We all walked away
better for the experience. Thanks to Don for the idea, Linda for the encouragement, Dean for his directions, Diana and Ray for their
company.
That's MY story and I'm sticking to it.
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