Memorial Day! Ed (Student Pilot), Ken (Instructor), and Lisa (Ground Crew) got up at the crack of dawn to get a little training in. With moderate winds aloft and variable conditions on the surface, it seemed like a good opportunity. With Ed at the controls, The Peaks of Otter Trotter took off near Bedford (Rt. 460) and cruised northeasterly towards Forest. At times, the balloon reached speeds up to 27 mph. It was a little foggy, but at 6300′ MSL, the fog painted a nice picture of the landscape below. After about an hour, Ed found the perfect spot to set it down (i.e., the Meadows Subdivision off Rt. 811). It was an incredible flight and a great job by Ed. He’s going to make an excellent pilot.
 Hot inflated and standing by!
Over Bedford County
Ed flying with a SEG!
The view from 6300′ MSL!
Ed and Ken packing it up!
When the weather’s nice, you’ve got to seize the moment. Kathy & Bill and Charla & Bill did just that. Sunday afternoon on May 25, 2008, the party took off near Owen’s Market off Rt. 460 and started drifting northwesterly. Our friends from Freedom Flights were also there to fly along. An unexpected change in wind direction however took The Pride of Forest towards Goode instead of Forest as originally planned. No matter though, as the scenery was just as nice. We continued to zig zag northwesterly and north, ultimately finding our landing point just off Goode Station Rd. All in all, a Sunday afternoon stroll like this is hard to beat.
 Getting ready for the stroll
Let’s go!
Dancing among the trees!
Bill & Kathy
Headed north towards Goode.
Charla & Bill
Lois & Frankie and Melissa & Bryan climbed aboard The Pride of Forest for a beautiful afternoon flight on May 24, 2008. The day was perfect! Unlimited visibility, blue skies and light winds. We joined our friends with Freedom Flights and took off from Thomas Jefferson Elementary School off Rt. 811. The balloon slowly drifted to the west, but as the we climbed higher and higher (ultimately over 1 mile up!), we caught a nice wind from the north and headed towards Everett Road. Cruising along at over 6300′ MSL, the view over Forest was absolutely spectacular. When it came time to bring it down, The Pride of Forest found a field just behind Walker’s Crossing and cruised just feet above the corn stalks (very cool) like making an end run for a touchdown. And a touchdown it was. Ultimately the balloon came to a beautiful landing right at the edge of the field. What a ride! Afterwards, we all enjoyed a sunset celebration…Forest Winds style!
Everybody’s ready!
Launching from T.J. Elementary School
Lois & Frankie (all smiles)
Over Forest looking east towards Lynchburg
Melissa & Bryan (also all smiles)
Landing near Walker’s Crossing
Toasting to a great flight!!!
Susan had always wanted to fly in a hot air balloon, so on May 13, 2008, her dream came true. To celebrate her birthday, and most recently, Mother’s Day, Susan, Jeremy (husband), Gideon (son), and Sandra (mother) climbed aboard The Pride of Forest for a beautiful sunset flight. The balloon took off near Owen’s Market (Rt. 460) and climbed to about 2900′ MSL. The sky above was blue and clear, and the fields below were lush and green. Slowly the balloon drifted northeasterly towards Perrowville Road. For a moment, it looked like the winds would turn us towards Ivy Lake Golf Course, but as we came down to the tree-tops, we shifted more towards the north. Ultimately The Pride of Forest came to a landing in Mr. Grove’s field just up the street from Jefferson Forest High School. Although the sun was setting over the horizon, that didn’t stop us from having a celebration toast by candlelight. Forest Winds would like to thank Mr. Grove for the use of his field, and would also like to wish Susan a very happy birthday!
Ready for take off! Not a cloud anywhere!
Susan, Sandra (center), Jeremy
The Pride of Forest
Gideon (6 years old)
Bedford County (looking NE)
Toasting to a Wonderful Flight!
All Tiffany wanted for her birthday was a hot air balloon ride. So today she and her boyfriend Jake took to the skies aboard The Pride of Forest. The balloon took off near Owen’s Market and climbed to 3900′ MSL. Slowly it drifted easterly at about 6 mph. At one point in the flight, the balloon was joined by a local powered parachuter. As the sun began setting off to the west, The Pride of Forest began it’s descent over Rt. 811 near Jump Park. Ultimately the balloon found its landing point just off Fox Ridge Road. Many thanks go out to Debra & Danny Reynolds for allowing Forest Winds to set down for the landing.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIFFANY!
Up, up & away!
Climbing to 3000 Feet
Jake & Tiffany
Over Bedford County (looking east)
A beautiful sunset!
Happy Birthday Tiffany!
As luck would have it, Sarah Lee Fitzpatrick (Miss Lynchburg 2008) made an appearance at the “Great Balls of Fire” dodge ball tournament sponsored by Food Lion for the Children’s Miracle Network on Saturday, May 5th. Ken (President of Forest Winds) was there helping out as a volunteer and got the opportunity to meet Sarah. You can learn more about Miss Lynchburg’s appearances, volunteer efforts and the upcoming Miss Virginia pageant at http://www.sarahleefitz.webs.com.
Good luck Sarah! We’ll be cheering for you!
