On Saturday, August 30th, there was a lot of celebrating going on. Why? Because Wilbur and Jean were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and Lauren and John were celebrating John’s birthday. Forest Winds was there to help make the celebration a memorable occasion. The Lynchburg airport was reporting winds variable at 3 mph that afternoon, so it didn’t appear there would be any prevailing direction for the flight, so we ultimately chose to launch from Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. After the balloon was inflated and ready for take-off, Wilbur, Jean, John and Lauren climbed aboard to begin the celebration.
John, Lauren, Wilbur, & Jean
After clearing the take-off with Lynchburg tower, The Pride of Forest began its ascent to 1 mile above sea level.
Take-off from TJ Elementary
With light winds from the north, we slowly began to drift to the south towards Rt. 460 (New London area). There wasn’t much wind on the surface, so we continued to ascend upwards in search of more wind.
Going way up high!
At about 2000′ MSL, we caught a nice gentle wind at about 5 mph from the north, but we continued to ascend in search of higher winds.
Wilbur and Jean
The Pride of Forest soon reached a altitude of 5280′ MSL (one mile above sea level). Jean even commented … “wow, this is really high up!”
Looking east towards Lynchburg
With a ten mile visibility, the view was really spectacular. And with the sun slowly setting off in the west, the flight couldn’t have been better for a late August evening. With haze on the horizon, we elected to return closer to the ground and entertain the kids below. As we descended, The Pride of Forest actually reversed its heading and began to drift right back to its launch point (déjà vu). The question was, “Could we make it back before sunset?”
Lauren and John
As luck would have it, the sun was setting faster than The Pride of Forest was drifting back to the north, so we elected to land on suitable farmlands just off Thomas Jefferson Rd (Rt. 811). The landing was absolutely perfect…slowly touching the ground without the slightest bump (thanks to Ed, our groundcrew). With the help of lots of family members who were in attendance to witness the landing, we packed the equipment and began the celebration!
Celebration by moonlight
Happy birthday John! and Congratulations Jean & Wilbur on your 50th wedding anniversary!
For more pictures of Lauren, John, Jean and Wilbur’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Lauren_John_Jean_Wilbur_Flight
Early this morning, Charlie’s family gathered together to watch The Pride of Forest hot air balloon take him on a very cool ride across the skies of Bedford County. The balloon was inflated just off the runway at New London airport (W90) and took to the air at 7:45 AM. Charlie waved to his family below and soon settled into a quiet peaceful ride on this early August morning. The temperature was about 64° F, and the winds were calm on the surface. As we ascended to about 800′ above the ground, it became apparent that changes in wind direction though would soon play to our advantage, allowing us to “steer” the balloon to where we wanted to go. The Pride of Forest slowly drifted to the north and eventually crossed over Rt. 460. Just before touch-down, the balloon came low above the treetops and Charlie was able to reach out of the basket and “nab” some leaves off one of the Poplars. With a grin, he placed the leaves in his top shirt pocket and prepared for the landing. On a textbook approach, the balloon slowly descended and found its landing point in a wide-open field just off Rt. 460 near Owen’s market. Charlie’s family was there to watch the landing. Afterwards, we popped open a couple of bottles of sparkling cider and celebrated a great flight. Charlie plans to top this little endeavor by “bungee jumping.” We say….good luck to you Charlie! Go for the gusto!
Charlie’s family
Climbing to cruise!
The family “wave-off”!
Charlie
New London Airport
Coming in for the landing.
For more pictures of Charlie’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Charlie
Dennis and April had been dating for 7 months. Dennis absolutely knew that April was the one, and he was looking for a unique way to ask April to marry him. So he contacted Forest Winds for a private hot air balloon flight. Friday (August 8th) was the originally planned date, but Mother Nature intervened and suggested another date because of high winds. He didn’t have to wait long because the weather conditions for Saturday evening (August 9th) were perfect. So Dennis convinced April to go on a little road trip from Giles County. Two hours later they arrived in Forest. After a quick wind assessment, we drove to Goode, VA for the launch.
Dennis & April
The Peaks of Otter Trotter hot air balloon was slowly inflated and Dennis & April climbed aboard. With a gentle wind from the north, the balloon took off at 6:45 PM. At first we just seemed to drift aimlessly above the launch point, but as we continued to climbed higher and higher we began to pick up a crisp cool wind from the west. After reaching an altitude of 5280′ AGL, The Peaks of Otter Trotter began to head easterly towards Forest.
Airborne over Goode, VA
The Peaks of Otter Trotter
April & Dennis
As the balloon continued to drift easterly, April and Dennis were amazed by all spectacular countryside. At over 1 mile above the ground, you could clearly see Smith Mountain Lake and Big Island. Dennis waited for the right moment, and when that moment came, he got down on one knee and looked into her eyes. With everything absolutely perfect, he asked the question “Will you marry me?”
She says “yes”!
Everything was perfect…
April couldn’t believe what was happening and had no idea what Dennis had planned, but she too knew he was the one. Without hesitation, she said “yes”!
A kiss to remember…
April and Dennis became engaged over Forest, VA at 7:30 PM aboard The Peaks of Otter hot air balloon (N5213B) on August 9th, 2008. The balloon altitude was at 5280′ AGL (1 mile above ground).
An incredible sunset!
At precisely 7:45 PM, The Peaks of Otter Trotter came to a landing just off Rt. 221 in Forest. As the sun began to set off in the west, April and Dennis had a lot to celebrate. With glasses raised high, a toast was made to their new beginning…
April’s picnic!
Forest Winds extends our sincere appreciation to Dennis and April for allowing us to be a part of their special moment. Congratulations on your engagement! May you both continue to have many more soft landings in the future.
For more pictures of Dennis and April’s engagement flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/April_and_Dennis
Lauren’s parents came down to Lynchburg from Pennsylvania this weekend, and Lauren thought it would be great to take them on a hot air balloon ride. So she called Forest Winds and booked it for August 9th. At 6:00 AM this morning (before sunrise), Lauren, her friend Brooks, and her parents Helen and Edward headed up to the Boonsboro Ruritan Club to inflate the balloon. The morning was so peaceful and quiet that several curious deer wondered close to the crew during the inflation setup. Soon after the inflation, Lauren, Brooks, Helen and Edward were on their way high in the sky. The Pride of Forest drifted to the south, and as it climbed higher and higher, it picked up enough speed to provide a very scenic flight path. At one point in the flight, the balloon actually did a reverse and we headed back to where we launched from. But as we returned to altitude, it continued on its way south. The skies were clear and blue, and the visibility nothing less than spectacular. When it was time to land, we eventually found our way to the Poplar Forest Golf Course, but since so many early morning golfers were headed on their way in, we decided to fly on over to the Poplar Forest Pool. Both landings were absolutely textbook. Afterwards, Lauren, Brooks, Helen and Edward toasted their champagne glasses to a perfect early morning flight. What better way to start the day?
Edward, Helen, Lauren, & Brooks
The Pride of Forest
We’re up and away!
Coming in for a landing.
A perfect landing!
What a great flight!!!
For more pictures of Lauren, Brooks, Helen and Edward’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Lauren_Brooks_Helen_Edward