Marj received a Forest Winds gift certificate from her son last Christmas since she had always wanted to take a ride in a hot air balloon. In fact, a hot air balloon ride was on her bucket list. But Marj didn’t want to take the ride alone, so she invited her daughter and grandson to come along. The morning of August 25th seemed like a perfect time to go since the forecast called for a nice break in the heat and there was a very little chance of rain. With the days becoming shorter, it wasn’t absolutely necessary to get up at the crack of dawn, but it was still very early. Marj, Anne and Hunter met up with the Forest Winds balloon crew at 6:30 AM. Low level fog still clung in the low areas across the countryside and a slight breeze blew from the southeast. A field off Leesville Road would provide the perfect launch point. So everyone got into the chase vehicle and off we went.
The field off Leesville Road was wet from the morning dew, but the grass was just freshly cut. To keep the balloon from getting too wet, the crew layed out a huge tarp upon which to lay the balloon. Within about 40 minutes, the Pride of Forest hot air balloon was up and ready to go.
On board and ready!
At 7:35 AM, the balloon lifted off and we were soon drifting westerly at about 5 mph.
The take off
As we looked back upon the field from which we took off, the balloon crew was finishing up refolding the tarp and putting the inflation equipment away.
The launch point
Higher and higher we continued to ascend. Marj, Anne and Hunter was quite impressed by the beauty and peacefullness of the flight.
Hunter, Marj & Anne
Our flight path took us over Timberlake Road and Greenview Road. Brookville High School was just off to our north.
Brookville High School
Over time, the winds turned us more to the southwest and we began to drift towards Rt. 460.
Drifting along
Slowly the world below began to come alive. Folks were out and about walking, driving, and occassionally waving as we passed by. We even had the opportunity to descend low over Timber Lake and see the balloon’s reflection in the water.
Timber Lake
Just beyond Timber Lake was Rt. 460 and it seemed like a good opportunity to set down in an open field once we got over the road.
Final approach
With a speed of about 5 mph, we quickly kissed the tree tops and then conducted a rapid descent on a tall grassy field. Two hops later, we had finally come to rest, and our balloon crew was there to assist.
On the ground
Our flight had lasted just over an hour, and the flight path couldn’t have been more perfect. We had seen a lot and drifted over many cool things. Now it was time to celebrate … so we did! The nice cold apple cider was definitely a nice treat. This was one thing Marj could now check off her bucket list!
The toast!
For more pictures of Anne, Marj, and Hunter’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Anne_Marj_Hunter_Flight_82810#
Last month, Lynn received a special gift certificate from her husband to take a hot air balloon ride for her birthday. Afterall, what could be better than to see the area you live in than to see it from way up high?! Lynn’s husband contacted Forest Winds and initially scheduled the ride for 8/15/10, but as luck would have it, overcast skies and low visibility necessitated rescheduling for a better day. So we re-booked the ride for 8/21/10. As Saturday the 21st approached, it looked like conditions would be favorable for flight … so that’s what we planned. Saturday morning arrived, and it was still very early. Lynn and her father (Mike) met up with the Forest Winds balloon crew at precisely 6:15 AM. It was still very dark, as the sun had not begun to rise off in the east. Surface winds were calm, the temperature was about 66°F, and visibility was 1.5 miles. With a 0 degree difference between the temperature and the dew point, fog had blanketed the countryside like a mid-winter quilt.
With westerly winds aloft, the obvious take-off spot seemed to be off Goode Station Road. So we all got into the chase vehicle and drove out to our selected launch location. The grass will still very wet from the morning dew, and the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon. Our crew unpacked the balloon and soon began the inflation process. By 7:20 AM, the Pride of Forest was hot and ready to go. Lynn and Mike climbed aboard and briefly posed for a moment to allow our photographer to capture the big event.
Cleared for take-off!
By 7:25 AM, we were off the ground and slowly began to ascend to the blue skies above.
See ya later!
It didn’t take too long before we caught a slight southwesterly wind of about 8-10 mph. With a heading of 050°, it looked like we would drift towards the baseline of Rocky and Flemming Mountains. As we passed over Crockett Road, out ground crew caught a shot of us off in the distance from the Virginia Memorial Park.
Just cruising …
Mike seemed to be taking it all in. The world below still seemed to be asleep. There was very little traffic going here and there, or early morning joggers trying to beat the heat. All we heard was an occassional bark of a dog or the moo of a cow. Lynn and Mike agreed that flying high over the Virginia countryside wasn’t so scary afterall. In fact, it was quite peaceful.
Mike & Lynn
By 8:15 AM, we had reached Perrowville Road just north of Bereley Farm Drive. The wide open fields below looked like a great place to set the Pride of Forest down for a nice soft landing. So we descended to just above the treetops to make the approach. Much to our surprise, the surfaces winds had shifted and seemed to be blowing from the northeast.
Over Forest, looking north
With the northeasterly winds, the balloon reversed direction and we began to head back towards Route 221. This was a great surprise since it moved us farther away from the mountain bases. For a while, we just drifted leasurely along about 1-2 mph with no particular agenda. It was just great to be floating along, all the while taking in the beautiful morning. Before long, our ground crew emerged from a small road to the north and prepared to receive the Pride of Forest for landing. By 8:40 AM, we were safely down in a grassy field just off Perrowville Road. The landing ended up being just as soft as the take-off.
Since there were so many grasshoppers in the field, we elected to move the balloon on to the road to conduct the deflation. While the crew deflated and packed up the balloon, Lynn and Mike helped with traffic control. Within about 25 minutes, the balloon was securely packed away and returned to the transport trailer. It was now time to celebrate. So we drove just a little further down the road to Jefferson Forest High School and popped a cold bottle of apple cider to commemorate the flight. Man, that cider tasted good!
Toasting to a great flight!
Since Lynn and Mike both pitched in to help make this flight such a success, it just seemed appropriate to designate them as “honorary crew members” of Forest Winds!
For more pictures of Lynn and Mike’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Lynn_and_Mike_Flight_82110#
Mary received a special gift certificate to take a hot air balloon ride last year for her birthday, and this weekend seemed like a good time to find a way to beat the long hot days of summer by flying across the skies of Central Virginia during the cooler hours of morning. So she and her son-in-law, Michael, got up very early and drove from Salem to meet the Forest Winds hot air balloon team at 6:15 AM on August 7, 2010. With the temperature hovering about 64°F and calm surface winds, the conditions seemed ideal. The winds aloft were lightly blowing from the northeast and visibility was reported by the local airport to be 8 miles.
After the assessment was completed, we all got into the chase vehicle and drove to the selected takeoff point just off Coffee Road. By 7:00 AM, we were inflated and almost ready to go. Our friends from Freedom Flights were also ready to go.
Just before takeoff…
Ken (pilot) completed the preflight checks and Michael and Mary climbed aboard.
Ken, Michael & Mary
At 7:10 AM, we were airborne and on our way. The rotor currents rolling over the mountains provided a little “push” to get us quickly headed to the southwest.
Climbout over the trees
We drifted primarily to the south towards Old Farm Road and Hawkins Mill Road. The countryside below was still very much asleep…only an occassional deer would dart across an open field. With the sun coming up over the east, the setting was perfect for a picture. It was at that moment that Ken realized he had left the camera back on the ground…bummer. Not a problem though. We would just make a short pitstop and meet up with our ground crew. So Ken set the Pride of Forest down in a wide open field at the intersection of Old Farm Road and Hawkins Mill Road. Within a few minutes, our Crew Chief had run out to the balloon to hand off the much needed camera and we were on our way again.
Enjoying the ride!
The summer haze was thick on the horizon, so it was difficult to make out the Peaks of Otter, but the view as still pretty spectacular.
The scene from above…
Over the next 40 minutes, our flight took us to the southwest towards Ivy Lake. For a while, it looked like we could make a perfect landing on the football field of Jefferson Forest High School, but we drifted away and turned south towards Forest Road. With the flight approaching one hour, it was getting close to find a spot to set down. Our friends with Freedom Flights set down just off Venture Drive, and it looked like we would come close to that spot as well. At 8:12 AM, we were safely back on the ground just off Valley Vista Lane, but we needed to walk the Pride of Forest a short distance over to Venture Drive first before we could begin the deflation and champagne celebration. Michael was quick to pitch in, and within minutes, we were correctly positioned to safely deflate.
It didn’t take long before the balloon was back in the bag and we were ready to celebrate the flight. So Michael, Mary and Ken gathered around the basket to do just that.
Toasting to a great flight!
For more pictures of Mary and Michael’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Mary_and_Michael_Flight_8710#
Pat had always wanted to take a hot air balloon ride since she was little. In fact, that wish eventually became the #1 thing to do on her bucket list. With the passing of Pat’s birthday this past April, her children wanted to make her dream come true. So they contacted Forest Winds to schedule Pat’s wish. We had tried several weekends prior to today to schedule this special ride, but Mother Nature had other plans. But today, on this last day of July, the same day when back in 1971 men for the first time rode a vehicle called on the lunar rover vehicle (LRV) on the moon, Pat got her first “magic carpet” ride with the Forest Winds hot air balloon company across the skies of Central Virginia.
We got together at 6:00 AM, and although the overcast skies seemed to be blocking the morning rays of sunshine, the conditions for balloon flight were actually ideal. The temperature bordered on about 66°F and the surface winds were calm. Visibility at the airport was reported at 10 miles with scattered clouds at 6500′ and winds aloft appeared to be from the southwest at 10 mph. There was little doubt that these conditions would be the setting for a smooth ride.
We drove out to the New London airport (W90) and prepared the balloon for flight. Within about 40 minutes, the Pride of Forest was up and ready, and it was time to get Pat and Karle on board.
On board and ready!
At 7:20 AM, we were on our way.
We’re airborne!
With little to no surface wind, we continued to ascend almost straight up and it seemed like we weren’t going to go very far at all. Karle took the opportunity to look out over the basket edge and wave to the family and crew below.
Karle waves good-bye!
As we passed through 600′ above the ground, the winds began to gently blow us towards the northeast. Pat seemed to be really quite impressed by the gentleness and beauty of the flight. She stood at the basket’s edge, looking out, and enjoying where this “magic carpet” was going.
Pat and son, Karle
We continued to drift to the northeast, passing over Rt. 460, Bellevue Road, and eventually Everette Road. If we wanted to slow down or stop, all we had to do was descend closer to the surface. When we wanted to get going again, all we had to do was go higher. These wind conditions were absolutely perfect for the flight. We saw occassional early morning joggers and folks out in their backyards waving, and heard the neighborhood dogs bark as we passed overhead. Off in the distance, the ground was still covered by the early monring haze.
Over Bedford County
As we began to approach Elkton Farm Road and Rt. 221, it was time to look for a nice open area to land. And such an area was just on the other side of Otterview Road. The field was wide open, clear of livestock and power lines. It would provide a perfect spot to land. So as we passed over Otterview Road, we began the descent…ever so slowly. Just hovering over the field, the Pride of Forest dropped the final few feet and we touched down in a pillow soft landing. Within a few minutes, the ground crew had arrived and prepared for the deflation and packup.
After the balloon was safely deflated and packed up, it was time to celebrate. Pat’s dream had come true, and her children had helped make that come true. Pat was lucky to have such a great and caring family.
Happy birthday Pat! Your #1 thing to do on your bucket list is now checked!
Pat and family
For more pictures of Pat and Karle’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Patsy_and_Karle_Flight_73110#
Summer began on June 21st, and since then, Mother Nature has continued to plague the weekends with less-than-desirable weather to fly a balloon. But not this morning! Although a stationary front was sitting over Central Virginia and threatening to ground Forest Winds for another day due to mist, as luck would have it, today was Tony and Sue’s day to take an adventure across the skies of Forest. With calm surface winds, a cloud ceiling of 12,000 feet, and a morning temperature around 72°F, the conditions seemed almost ideal for a leisurely stroll across the skies. So, Tony and Sue got up early to meet the Forest Winds hot air balloon crew around 6:00 am. Although it was extremely early, folks were still out and about and lining up in the McDonald’s drive-through for breakfast. After the paperwork and wind assessment was completed, we were on our way to the launch site. Since the winds seem to be blowing from the soutwest, we headed down Rt. 460 towards Owen’s Market.
It didn’t take long at all before we were inflated and ready to go.
Inflated & Ready to Go!
Sue, Tony and Ken
At 7:10 am, we were airborne and headed due east.
The Adventure Begins!
Sue seemed pretty impressed by the takeoff. The sun was slowly coming up over the horizon and the ground below was still wet with the morning dew. Slowly we climbed out and began drifting parallel along Rt. 460. Off to the north, you could see the mist that had formed along the moutain base.
Looking North Over Bedford
As we continued to gain altitude, we also gained speed. The winds weren’t blowing from the soutwest anymore; they were blowing from the west. This direction continued to push us easterly down Rt. 460 towards the Lynchburg airport. Cars and trucks traveling along the highway honked and hooted below as we drifted high above.
Sue & Tony
As we approached New London Road, Ken added heat to the balloon and we ascended even higher to an altitude of about 2500′ AGL. At that altitude, the balloon just seemed to be standing still, but in actuality, we began to turn towards the south, southwest. The golf course below (London Downs) seemed almost too perfect; the greens vibrate from the daily routine watering. For a moment it time, we just seemed to hover high above New London, taking it all in.
As the balloon began to cool, we slowly descended and gradually returned to our easterly flight path. The lake just east of London Downs Golf Course passed to our left; the surface seemed like glass. Ahead was the Wildwood subdivision. Our speed at this point was about 4 mph. With fuel approaching about 50%, Ken scanned ahead and assessed where the approach to landing should begin. Directly ahead was a perfect open field between Cresthaven Terrance and Barnside Road. As we approached the field, Ken prepared the balloon for landing. After passing over the treeline, we descended onto the field…skipping to a perfect landing.
Before the landing, we had lost communication with the ground crew, so they weren’t exactly sure where we were. Having landed near the backend of the field, it would have difficult for the ground crew to see us from Town Fork Road. So Tony and Sue had to hop out of the basket and help Ken tow the balloon towards the front of the field. Sue thought this was pretty cool….after all, how often do you get a chance to tow a hot air balloon across a field?
It didn’t take too long before the ground crew found us. Having towed the balloon to the middle of the field, we were pretty obvious to passer-byers. Within about 30 minutes, we had the balloon packed up and returned to the trailer. It was time to celebrate! Tony and Sue had danced across the skies of Bedford County on this 17th day of July, and the celebratory toast was due!!!
The Toast!
For more pictures of Sue & Tony’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Tony_and_Sue_Flight_71810#
Many months ago, Jason (living overseas in India) contacted Forest Winds by e-mail and asked that we reserve the weekend of April 17th for a special flight that he wanted to take his girlfriend, Jyothi (a graduate student at Liberty University), on. This would in no way be a typical flight, and Jyothi had no idea that Jason was planning this as a perfect way to ask for her hand in marriage. Jason arrived in Lynchburg around Wednesday, April 14th, and began watching the weather like a hawk. In order to keep the flight a surprise to Jyothi, Jason and Ken (the pilot) exchanged numerous text messages, instead of phone calls, about the weather shaping up for the weekend. As it turned out, the weather didn’t shape up very well at all and high winds keep the Forest Winds team on the ground. Saturday and Sunday passed by and the forecast was calling for rain on Tuesday evening. Jason kept his cool however and patiently waited for that small window of opportunity (as often happens in ballooning). As the hours of Monday ticked by, it looked like the winds would finally die off enough to make for a safe flight. So, the plan was made; Jason would meet up with the Forest Winds crew around 6:00 PM after he took Jyothi out for a nice romantic dinner.
At 6:00 PM, Jason drove Jyothi to the McDonald’s in Forest. The story Jason used was they were going to goof around in the kids play area (which was actually pretty believeable). When Jyothi found out she was going on a balloon ride, she could hardly believe it. She had always wanted to take one.
After a quick wind assessment, we all climbed into the balloon chase vehicle (a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder) and drove out to the New London airport (W90) to inflate the balloon. By 7:05 PM, we were inflated with all final checks completed. The evening sun had begun casting a golden glow across the landscape and everything seem to be lining up for a perfect flight. Jyothi still had no idea how much more perfect it would become.
At 7:10 PM, the Pride of Forest hot air balloon was airborne and drifting to the west, northwest, at about 6 mph.
Higher and higher we climbed; the view becoming more and more spectacular. Blue skies above, green landscape below, and the warm sun setting off to the west.
Over Bedford County looking NE
We continued to float northwesternly towards Owen’s Market on Rt. 460, taking an occassional picture and pointing out areas of interest. Looking to the southwest, we could see the sun’s reflection off Smith Mountain Lake. The only thing that could possibly make this picture even better was some nice background music. And as if on que, Jason pulled a laptop computer out of his backpack and began playing some special songs he had picked out for the flight. With everything aligned, the moment was right. He then turned to Jyothi, got down on one knee, looked into her eyes, and asked her that all important question…”Jyothi, will you marry me?” Without hesitation she replied, “Yes!, Yes!, Yes!” This had been what she wanted for so long.
So at 7:30 PM, and at an altitude of 2950′ MSL, Jason and Jyothi became engaged over Bedford County in the Pride of Forest hot air balloon.
She said, “Yes”!
With the sun becoming lower on the horizon, we had to begin looking for a nice place to set down. It didn’t take took long however before a wide open field just off Windy Knoll Drive presented itself as the best place to make a smooth and safe landing. As the balloon descended to just over the treetops for final approach, the winds became lighter and the we slowed to a speed of about 3.5 mph. With just three short skips on the touchdown, we came to a full stop. The landing was a textbook landing; and Jason and Jyothi were nothing but smiles.
Obviously, we had a lot to celebrate…so we did! Ken popped the champagne and made a toast to Jason and Jyothi’s engagement.
Happy engagement!
Although the flight was over, Jason and Jyothi’s new life together had just begun. There will no doubt be many more soft landings in their future! For more pictures of Jason and Jyothi’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Jason_and_Jyothi_Flight_41910#
CONGRATULATIONS JASON AND JYOTHI!
On Sunday, April 11th, 2010, Linda met with the Forest Winds balloon crew to take a little magic carpet ride in the very blue skies over Bedford County. She had received a gift certificate several months prior, but decided to wait until spring when the weather would be most favorable. Linda’s decision was a good one, because on this day, the weather was absolutely ideal. The surface winds were calm, the temperature was around 43 F, and there wasn’t a cloud in sky.
Just after 8:00 A.M., the Pride of Forest hot air balloon was inflated just off Rt. 460 near Owen’s Market and made ready for flight. Linda, all dressed in green, then climbed aboard and situated herself in the basket. With just Linda and Ken (the pilot) on board, there was plenty of room to move about. The surface winds were barely noticeable.
With just a couple of blasts from the heater, we were up and away!
Climbing high!
We had just ascended over the tree tops when we picked up a pretty good westerly wind of about 15 mph. There wasn’t much variance in the wind direction with altitude, so we continued to drift to the east parallel with Rt. 460.
Looking to the northwest
When we approached Thomas Jefferson Road, we descended back to just over the tree tops to make a quick assessment of the surface winds, and just as we suspected, they continued to remain light. This would make landing much easier when the time finally came.
Descending over TJ Road
After we completed the surface wind check, we returned to altitude and continued our easterly track towards Lynchburg airport. Ken made radio contact with the airport and advised the controller of our intent. With no other planes in the traffic pattern, we were clear to approach and make a landing. As luck would have it however, a small field located not too far from the airport provided a perfect opportunity to set down before we made it that far. So, with a pull of the vent, the Pride of Forest made its way on a perfect angle of descent.
Final approach for landing.
As we descended lower and lower, we drifted slower and slower. Everything set up for a nice soft landing, and as it turned out…it was. Perfect! We were back down on the ground approximately one hour from take off. All that was left to do was to provide the coordinates to our ground crew so they would be able to find us, but thanks to our ace crew chief, that wasn’t necessary. He had already made the field and was pulling in just as Ken was checking the coordinates.
With such a perfect flight, a toast with sparkling grapejuice seemed to be in order. So we did!
“Always soft landings.”
For more pictures of Linda’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Linda_Flight_41110#
On Saturday, April 3rd, 2010, Christopher (a school teacher at Gretna High School) and his fiance, Kirby (a youth director for the Salvation Army), took a ride with Forest Winds across the skies of Bedford County, Virginia. Christopher had called Forest Winds much earlier over the winter, but as Old Man Winter would have it, winds and snow pretty much kept the balloon grounded for most of the season. But Saturday was a much different story. Spring was finally here and the morning conditions were shaping up quite nicely. Christopher and Kirby met up with the Forest Winds team around 7:00 A.M. After the usual wind assessment was completed, we were off to the New London airport to set up for the launch. The early morning temperature was 51°F, visibility was at 10 miles, and skies were clear.
At 8:05 A.M. The Pride of Forest hot air balloon was inflated, hot, and ready to go. Christopher and Kirbly then climbed aboard to begin their spring walk across the skies.
Ready for launch!
By the time the inflation had been completed, the surface winds had picked up a little bit, and the balloon began to rock back and forth like an old wooden ship sailing across the ocean blue. It didn’t take too long however before we were bouyant enough to begin our ascent.
Airborne at 8:10 A.M.!
The balloon slowly drifted off to the southwest and we begin out climb from the end of the runway. The cows in the pasture looked on without discern and continued about their business. As we continued to climb higher, we turned back to the northeast and began to settle out on our cruising altitude of about 2000′ MSL and speed of 8 mph.
Looking northwest.
Christopher and Kirby were quite impressed by the peacefulness and beauty of the landscape below. Everything seemed so perfect from the air….almost like one of those railroad models you see in the store.
Kirby and Christopher
We continued to drift northeasterly back to Forest for a while…sometimes hearing the occassional bark of a dog or the mooing of a cow. There were a few early morning walkers out and about, but for the most part, the community below still hadn’t waken up.
The trees are in bloom!
At about 9:00 A.M. it was time to begin our descent and look for a suitable landing spot. With so much variance in the wind direction however, the exact point was going to be a little difficult to predict. But no matter, there was plenty of open space below to choose from. As we came closer to the ground, the balloon swang round back to the southwest and slowed to about 4 mph. A pasture just off Everett Road seemed to be the best choice…so that’s where we headed. On the final approach, we skimmed across the treetops, taking the occassional opportunity to “sniff” them along the way.
On final approach!
With a three hop landing, we were safely down on the ground again…smack in the middle of a cow field. Curious onlookers took the opportunity to stop alongside the roadway and check us out. Meanwhile, our ground crew located the landowner to see about unlocking the fence to allow access. After a few minutes, the gate was unlocked, and we began the deflation. After the balloon was completed deflated, it just seemed right to celebrate a successful spring flight with a toast. So we did!
Toasting to a great flight!
Christopher and Kirby plan to get married this September and we wish them all the best and many more great adventures in the future as they begin their life together. For more great pictures of their flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Christopher_and_Kirby_Flight_4310#
This winter proved to be a real challenge for flying, but on the first day of spring, Forest Winds once again returned to the skies over Bedford County. Today however we didn’t carry any passengers because Ken (pilot) needed to re-establish his pilot proficiency.
At 7:40 a.m., the burners were test fired and all systems checked.
That’s a flame!
At 8:00 a.m., the balloon was inflated, hot, and ready.
Completing final checks.
At 8:05 a.m., the “Peaks of Otter Trotter” hot air balloon was airborne just off Goode Station Road in Goode, Virginia.
1st flight of 2010!
After Ken completed his three required landings, he picked up Ed (friend and co-pilot for the company).
Going for a ride!
There wasn’t much wind to take us very far, but the flight was pretty cool anyway.
Ed at the helm.
Lisa (our crew on the ground) was able to capture the flight from a different prespective.
The Inn at Trivium
Nothing but light winds and blue skies. Perfect!
Looking northwest.
There’s no place like home….
That was the theme for the Bedford Chamber of Commerce Afterhours event held this past Thursday at Bentley Commons at Lynchburg. The Little Dinner Theater Players really livened things up a bit as they brought the cast of the Wizard of Oz up close to the event attendees. Forest Winds provided the balloon that would be used to take Dorothy back to Kansas.
Special thanks goes out to Bentley Commons at Lynchburg for hosting such a great event!
Dorothy and Toto
Lisa dancing with the Scarecrow!
All the crew together!
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