Super excited for today. When we were planning this trip, I found a hot air balloon ride that looked promising and several others joined in with me. It's a bucket list item and finds four of us heading out in the wee hours of the morning. We have to be at the meeting place by 5:15 a.m. Yep - off we go into the darkness. When we arrive at the meetup - soooo many people are arriving. I thought it would just be our balloon, but apparently there will be many balloons going up today. That's cool. While we are waiting, everything is being loaded - I peek into the loading area and see the balloon baskets on trailers and vans are hooking up to them.
We, too, are loaded into the vans and driven quite some distance out into the desert. Then weather checks are made before the final decision that we can, indeed, go up. Yay!! We drive a bit further and each van takes a spot in a field. The unloading begins -- THIS was fascinating to watch. First the balloons are begun to be laid out.
The basket is set on its side and we are told loading will begin this way. Okaaay.
Still unloading the balloon itself.
Other groups are ahead of us as I watch bubbles start growing around us.
Using fans - the process gets started.
My morning partners in fun.
We are now a bubble on the earth as well.
Once again, a glance around shows quite a few bubbles that are starting to stand up.
It's time to start the sideways loading.
Fire begins to help the process along.
At first I thought it would be fun to be one of the sideways people, but now I'm glad I get to watch the entire process without craning my body or neck.
The balloon goes vertical and the rest of us quickly climb into the baskets. I'm right next to the view straight up into the balloon.
Smile, y'all.
And away we go ---
Looking out - we're joining the others.
Some a still working at it, below us.
I started this process with two people that are not real comfortable with heights and they are both smiling like crazy. I'm so glad.
We don't have a super strong breeze today, so we are just kind of hanging out in the air, but it's still awesome. I wish I had weather control, but alas, I'm just not that powerful. After about 45 minutes, we see our cars waiting below for us.
Openings at the top of the balloon appear and allow for deflation as we descind.
We have a super smooth landing and soon the crew is off to start folding the balloon back up.
In18th-Century France, when hot air balloons were a new and startling phenomenon, their sudden appearance in villages and farms often caused fear and alarm among the local population. So, a peace offering was given to calm these nervous villagers and to prevent any potential anger or conflict. Balloonists began carrying bottles of champagne to offer compensate for any damage to their fields.
The tradition continues today as a way to celebrate a successful and safe flight, expressing gratitude to the crew and passengers for their adventure. Today - we have mimosas.
Non-alcoholic drinks are also available.
He then has to work on packing up everything as well and we are off to wait in the van. Meanwhile, Gwen finds a rock to take home with us. Yep - it really happens.
Before I get into the van, a moment to say thank you to the crew for all their hard work.
This is how short our drag was in landing. It truly was so smooth.
Happy flyers back in the van and my height people would do it again right now. Yay!!!
I think we wore this one out.
On our way back into town, we send a message to Stephannie that we will pick her up for breakfast, if she wants. A quick swing by the house and we are off to "eggstasy." LOVE the name and I'm sharing the menu once again, due to creativity.
Another mimosa for me and doesn't my food look amazing. Only downside is that it is HUGE!
It's been quite the morning and we are back to the house for a bit.
It doesn't take long and a decision is made to brave the traffic once again and so a little more shopping. Okay, let's go. (I'm the driver - it is what it is.)
First Shop - Bernina Connection
I must be sub-consciously thinking of sewing clothing again, as I seem to spot these items wherever I go. The dress in the third picture was part of the Imaginative Collaboration. Here is what they wrote: "Our Say Yes to Our Dress project has been a remarkable fusion of quilting and garment making, uniting two creative traditions in a shared celebration of artistry. Bernina Connection customers played an integral role, contributing quilt blocks of their own design - each a one-of-a-kind expression of creativity. With an old McCall's pattern as a guide, Dima and Marlina meticulously arranged and stitched these quilt blocks into individual pattern pieces, transforming them nto the building blocks of a breathtaking dress."
For the life of me, I can't remember the name of this store - outisde, there were sewing machines lined up everywhere.
Several inside as well.
It's super cute inside -
No purchases by me. If there had been, I would have access to the name of the store. Oh well.
Onto Mad B's -
A few items make it home with me but overall I'm still doing a great job of not adding too much.
Needed at least one group pic to show that Linda is running amok with us. No Gwen, this trip.
Last shop stop for the day - Quilter's Oasis.
I'm always in favor of unique ways to place fat quarters in a shop. This way is super fun.
Now to battle the traffic back. It's been another packed day. Have I sewn --- nope, not sure why I hauled everything here with me. Lesson learned and now we have to pack everything up as departure takes place in the morning. Drat it anyway.
Once the work is done, the pool just is calling this evening. I'm answering the call, along with Sherri.
With all that is swirling around me, I've really needed to just keep busy and my mind occupied. I'm so thankful for friends that kept with me through it all.
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