I DID IT!

img_0978

I went up into a Hot Air Balloon!

It was something I have always wanted to do and so FINALLY…

I DID IT!

Here we GO!

img_0969

img_0974

The basket was 18 ft. long. longer then most. We had about 17 people in the basket.

But first we had to set up…

It is a process!

I volunteered to help hold the balloon as they inflated it.

img_0959

There was time to get a few pictures to show you how big this balloon was!

img_3452

That’s me standing in front of it.

img_0960

That’s the pilot in there with  his assistant!

hot-air-balloon-and-fallmantel-022

We are ready to board!

hot-air-balloon-and-fallmantel-031

hot-air-balloon-and-fallmantel-032

The fire is warm but not bad! It helps the balloon go up and down.

Randy Our Wonderful Pilot uses ropes to change it’s direction.

hot-air-balloon-and-fallmantel-057

hot-air-balloon-and-fallmantel-034

We love the foothills!

Below is Gavalin Peak and Daisy Mountain. Our Mountains in Anthem, AZ

I climbed the mountain on the right! Daisy Mountain!

hot-air-balloon-and-fallmantel-072

hot-air-balloon-and-fallmantel-064

He tried to lasso the moon… so we could walk on the moon.  😉

img_0974

IT WAS MAGNIFICENT!   Soooooo PEACEFUL!

But what goes up… must come down. I will say it was a bit of a  bumpy landing.

hot-air-balloon-and-fallmantel-092

But we landed safely and had a champagne breakfast.

We first recited the Balloonist’s Prayer on the Red Carpet.

img_3510

I am on the Red Carpet with champagne!

img_3513

Then off to breakfast. Here was one of our breakfast tables.

hot-air-balloon-and-fallmantel-090

Our breakfast was sausage and vegetable quiche a crescent and apple slices.

img_3518

I checked off a fabulous fun time from my bucket list!

Thank you for reading and enjoying my day!

I would do it again!

hot-air-balloon-and-fallmantel-003

Have a wonderful weekend!

p1020755

Save

49 thoughts on “I DID IT!

    1. It was an amazing experience. I am so glad I did it! Thanks for stopping by… I need to come over and see what you have been up too.

    1. Oh I understand that. The only time I got a wee bit frightened is when we got closer to landing. We were right over a busy intersection so I just looked away for a split second. Then in no time we were past the intersection.
      I am so glad you stopped by and took the time to comment. I truly appreciate it! 🙂

    1. Ooooooooh! I am so glad you saw some of your ole stopping grounds!
      It was fun and it was fabulous seeing the mountains from a different perspective!

    1. This balloon was one of the largest in the nation. Many are not as big as the one I went up in.
      Oh it was a great time and I sure hope you get to do it one day!

  1. How fantastic!! Love seeing all the wonderful pictures, Nancy, especially the one of you dwarfed by the massive size of the balloon!! Really put it into perspective for me 🙂 This has been on my bucket list for years – had a blast living it through your eyes!

    1. I am so glad you got to see what great fun it is! I sure hope you get a chance to do it. They go up almost daily out here in AZ.
      I am glad you liked that picture of me in front of balloon. I needed to show how big it truly was!

    1. Oh I hope you get a chance to do so. It is a fabulous experience.
      One thing I still am amazed at…was how peaceful it was up there!

    1. Yep! I think I am getting a bit more daring in my old age… but I still have a long way to go to catch up to you sweet Sue! You are my most adventurous friend! Way to be awesome!

      1. We all have our ways of being adventurous. I think as long as people are experiencing new things even seeing a new flower or a new walk then that is great. 🙂 A hot air balloon ride is amazing!

  2. Wow! You did it. 👍 Way too cool, Nancy. I Can’t imagine the thrill being up and up there! Thank you for showing us the process and the big celebration through your fantastic photos!
    Btw, I had no wifi until now…

  3. Good for you guys!! I love going up in a hot air balloon…so peaceful!! We did ours while we lived in San Diego…there it is done at sunset…you start at the coast and drift inland as the sun sets!! We need to do it here in the desert….

  4. What a fabulous adventure you had, Nancy! This is something I’d love to do too! I have never seen such a big basket before—how interesting. I think balloons are such beautiful things to look at—I love it whenever I see one floating in the sky. It would be even better to be up in one! Great post and excellent photo essay. Well done! :))

    1. Thank You My Friend! It was an amazing experience. This balloon was one of the largest in the nation hence the large basket. It was an experience I will never ever forget!

  5. Lucky duck!!! It’s on my bucket list too 🙂 was it everything you expected and more?

    p/s My weekly Project Sister Act Link-Up is now live on the blog, and I’d love for you to come by and join in xoxo

  6. I noticed however that they served breakfast AFTER the balloon ride – very smart! These are such great photos of something I’m unlikely to do but glad it brought you so much pleasure.

    1. Hello my friend! I have had several people pat me on the back for going up. It was what I have wanted to do for a long time and there was no stopping me. As for breakfast after … ha ha … never thought about it but you are correct!

  7. I think it was 1985 or 86 when I went up in a balloon. We had a local pilot, so we were able to see some of the local sites. It was a much smaller basket (there were 4 of us plus the pilot). I have told my husband how much I loved it and he has always said he would never go up. Recently he told me for my 60th birthday (two years and three months from now) he will take me up in one. If he wants to do it for my actual birthday we will have to travel to a warmer climate because balloons do fly in January in Michigan. LOL. A lot can happen between now and then but if the opportunity presents itself, I will go in a heartbeat.

Thank You So Much... for sharing your kind words. I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to share your thoughts.