Hot Air Ballooning

With a pull of the 'quick release', you rise gracefully into the air, leaving all restraints of gravity behind. There is a cheer from the crowd below you, as people and cars become smaller by the second. Above, is a massive, colourful sphere of nylon. Your hot air balloon ascends effortlessly, as though weightless, on a flight to uncertain destinations. 

You have embarked on a journey in the oldest form of aviation. You hear the creak of the sturdy wicker gondola beneath your feet and the slight hiss of the propane burners overhead. The air is fresh, the sky is yours. Your eyes are gifted with the breathtaking beauty that surrounds you. You now understand why you woke up before the sun to experience this peaceful and magical escape from reality. 

You are at the mercy of Mother Nature herself, as she decides where her winds will deliver you. Your senses are deceived as you become aware that you are higher than you realized. It feels as though you are holding still and the world is moving beneath you. Few forms of flight can evoke the same sense of romance, adventure and freedom. 

The pilot then successfully attempts a 'splash & dash' in a small pond, alarming some grazing deer along a tree line of a nearby forest. You can't decide what to do first: take a picture of the balloon's reflection or of the wildlife in the morning light. 

Your landing is exciting with a couple of bumps and a drag. Through laughter, you climb out of the basket to an awaiting Mimosa. What a glorious way to start a new day: a dance with the clouds and a glass of bubbly