Summary

The website content describes a personal account of an exhilarating hot-air balloon ride, detailing the experience from preparation to landing, and reflects on the safety and beauty of ballooning, while also providing insights into global hot-air balloon destinations and a writing prompt challenge.

Abstract

The author shares a vivid narrative of their first hot-air balloon flight, emphasizing the adventure's surprise element for their spouse's birthday. The journey begins with the challenge of keeping the surprise amidst weather-related uncertainties and leads to the thrill of watching the balloons inflate, the smooth lift-off, and the serene flight. The piece highlights the safety of hot-air balloons, the unique sensation of floating effortlessly, and the unexpected clarity of hearing distant conversations from above. It also touches on the global appeal of ballooning, suggesting various picturesque locations for such experiences and acknowledges the community and events surrounding hot-air balloon festivals. The narrative concludes with a reflection on the uplifting nature of flying stories and a thank-you note to those who inspired and supported the writing prompt challenge that led to this story's publication.

Opinions

The author finds hot-air ballooning to be one of the safest forms of air travel and suggests it as an activity for those who might be apprehensive about flying.
The experience of floating in a hot-air balloon is described as intoxicating, inducing feelings of euphoria and excitement, and is compared favorably to the sensation of wanting to jump or fly.
The author expresses gratitude towards Ellie Jacobson for the writing prompt challenge and the publication of the post, indicating a sense of community and support among writers.
The article conveys a sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty of hot-air balloon rides, particularly the views and the smoothness of the ride, which is noted to be free from motion sickness.
The piece suggests that hot-air balloon festivals are exciting events worth attending, highlighting the spectacle of balloons glowing against the night sky.
The author implies that one doesn't need to travel to exotic locations to enjoy the beauty of ballooning, as local rural areas can offer equally rewarding experiences.

© pockett-dessert, hot-air balloon adventure.

PHOTOGRAPHY | HOT AIR BALLOON | WRITING PROMPT

Flying High: An Exhilarating Ride In A Beautiful Hot-Air Balloon

Writing Prompt: What is your best exciting flying adventure?

Flying high — up, up and away on our first-ever balloonist adventure. An exhilarating champagne sunset flight riding in a hot-air balloon.

A good thing hubby loves birthday surprises. Keeping his gift a secret was challenging — when the weather doesn’t cooperate, the flight is cancelled.

On our second attempt, it’s sunny, warm and with little to no wind. Hubby gives me a puzzled look as we arrive at a farmer’s field, in the middle of nowhere. He brought his swim trunks, as I instructed:)

My diversion worked. Giggling, I point to the crew rolling in.

pleasant anticipation

The ground crew inflates gigantic hot-air balloons. Balloonists watch, anticipation grows.

How safe is a hot-air balloon?

A hot-air balloon is one of the safest forms of air travel and requires a licensed pilot to operate.

Although it seems improbable, you’re actually pretty safe standing in a wicker basket attached to a massive balloon. If flying makes you queasy, hot air ballooning may be a good place to start!

standing room only

No seats in a hot-air balloon. Passengers stand for the entire duration of a thrilling one-hour flight. It’s best to wear comfortable shoes.

dress in layers

Hot-air balloons fly between 1,000 to 3,000 feet in the air. Dress in layers and adjust as the temperature changes. When your pilot takes you higher, there is a 3° Fahrenheit decrease per 1,000 feet.

liftoff, we are one with the wind and sky

To my amazement and amusement, there is no sensation of lifting off the ground. It is unbelievably smooth.

We are gliding e-f-f-o-r-t-l-e-s-s-l-y, lifting off the ground, rising higher and higher.

Breathtaking views— exciting, enchanting, a dream to float in the air.

eavesdropping

When the burner is off, it is silent up here. Sounds drift up… Hard to believe a thousand feet in the air we could hear, crystal clear, a conversation between a framer and his son. Oops, so sorry!!

They smile, wave back and say, Hello!

motion sickness-free ride

Unlike riding an elevator, hot-air ballooning offers a very smooth ride. Grateful for a motion sickness-free ride:)

Floating is intoxicating… symptoms ranging from mild to wild euphoria, excitement, confusion—the urge to j-u-m-p makes you believe you can f-l-y.

exhilarating

Descending from 2,000 feet, the pilot cannot steer but utilizes wind currents to guide our balloon to a landing site nearby.

Once the basket safely touches the ground, the celebratory champagne begins to flow. We toast, savour delicious canapés listen as Hubby shares his thoughts…

I had this urge to jump. It was a strange sensation to be sure. I felt as if I could fly, soar…

To his relief and to mine, he wasn’t the only one who felt this way.

world’s best hot air balloon rides

Whether you’re witnessing the sunrise over the fairy chimneys of Turkey’s Cappadocia or zebras and wildebeests migrating across the plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania, doing so while riding in the basket of a hot air balloon takes the experience to a whole new level.

Imagine having a bird’s eye view of Namibia's red and orange desert sands, Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, Teotihuacan pyramids (Mexico) of an ancient civilization or the Napa Valley.

Have you ever attended a hot-air balloon festival? It’s an exciting time of balloon launches, concerts, and my favourite, the sunset spectacle — balloons glow like Chinese lanterns in the night sky.

One does not need to travel far nor to an expensive location. Experience viewing the world from a different perspective in a nearby rural location.

Are you an adventure seeker?

Would you ride, swing, or slide off a hot-air balloon? Enjoy these hot-air balloon jumping shenanigans! Skydiving, squirrel suits, swinging and sliding off a hot-air balloon.

Uplifting, Flying Stories

Her nickname is The Flying Banana. Because Anne Bonfert loves the colour yellow and skydiving:)

The Flying Banana

January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Self”

medium.com

A Note of Thanks

Thank you, Ellie Jacobson, for publishing this post to Flint and Steel in response to your January challenge: Write a prompt and respond to that prompt.

flying high | experiences

Prompt: "What is your best exciting flying adventure?" Flint & Steel’s 1st Writing Challenge (2022)

pockettdessert.medium.com

Thank you for your kind support | Ko-fi ☕