Balloon Fest

Today, we got up at 3:30 a.m. and went down to Memorial Park to watch a meteor shower and the 31st Annual Balloon Fest. We went with Carol, Bernhardt, and Andrea. We had a great time. You know you have true friends, when they will get up at 3:30 a.m. to go with you.

The meteor show was great. We spread a big blanket on the ground, layed down and watched the show. I have to say that the place we spread the blanket was where the trucks would come, hauling the balloon equipement, but at 4:30 a.m., no trucks and it was fun.

We ate muffins and drank hot cocoa and coffee. I thought it special that none of us saw the meteors all at the same time. Two or three of us would see one and then the others would miss it and vice versa. We each got our own show. Thanks God!!

When the sun came up, it was time to watch the balloons. It started by the balloons being spread out on the grass. Imagine a four story house size blanket, spread out on the ground. After the spreading, fans were blown into the inside of the balloon and when the balloon was inflated, they lit the burners and heated the air inside it.
When the balloon was standing, folks gathered on the sides of the basket to keep it from floating away. At just the right time, folks stepped away and the balloon drifted up. This morning, we saw around 100 balloons do this. They also, floated over the lake and tried to dip in it. They had to skim the water because, if they dipped into the water too far, they wouldn't have gotten back up.


I can't accurately describe the spectacular color and glory of seeing 50 colorful balloons in the sky all at once. Pictures only give you a glimpse of how beautiful it is. This is why we keep going year after year.