Third Time’s a Charm for John & Carla!
April 20th, 2008 | 0 Comments | Uncategorized |
On the 1st launch attempt…surface winds were too strong. We’ll wait for a better day 
On the 2nd launch attempt…again, surface winds were too strong and we needed to see what tomorrow would bring.
But oh, on the 3rd attempt… mother nature was much kinder and the launch was successful. John and Carla (Lexington, KY) were finally airborne in The Pride of Forest on April 19th, 2008. With the morning temperature around 48° F, the grass was still covered with the morning dew and the winds were SSW at 3.5 mph. The balloon was inflated in about 40 minutes and John & Carla climbed aboard to begin the morning “adventure.” And an adventure it would become. The Pride of Forest climbed to a maximum altitude of 2000′ MSL and drifted NNE at about 18-20 mph. Carla didn’t want it to ever end, but ultimately The Pride of Forest had to settle for its landing point near Carter’s Stables Road (Forest, VA). A wide open field provided the perfect opportunity for a safe and successful landing, but getting to the balloon by our ground crew proved to be another challenge. Aaaaah, the wonderful countrysides of Virginia. The perfect stage for a celebration…hot air ballooning style!
Ready for take-off!
Airborne at last!
John & Carla enjoying the skies over Forest!
Looking NNE (Bedford County)
A picture perfect landing!
Celebrating a successful flight!
Ed checks in while tabbing the balloon vent.
Ken fires up the burner!
Airborne and looking at you!
Red, white and blue!
Wait, photo moment!