Up, Up and Away!

Waking up at 3:45 a.m. to get to the launch site on time was beyond worth it... 

Thats Chris helping inflate the balloon with 225,000 lbs. of air. Isn't that blow torch insane?

 

Then all 10 of us climbed into the ballon and off we went. That morning three balloons launched, so these pictures are of our neighboring balloons. We got up to about 1,000-1,2000 feet high. I learned that hot air balloon pilots actually have to have a full pilots license. 

We flew over beautiful wine country and the Willamette River. We even got to do a "splash and dash," where our balloon touched the river. 

What an incredible way to start the day and our vacation! We flew with Vista Balloon Adventures of Newberg and I would highly recommend them. The company is run by the very passionate Roger and Catherine (waking up that early four months out of the year takes a lot of passion). Plus when you land they have a fantastic brunch waiting for you. They typically fly May-October, weather permitting.

This is going to become more than a once in a lifetime thing!