Thanksgiving 2008
Alex and Geoff joined the Forest Winds Hot Air Balloon Team this morning for a crisp cool ride across the skies of Lynchburg. Frost on the ground and an early morning temperature of 27°F were not enough to deter Alex and Geoff from doing something as cool as taking a hot air balloon ride on Thanksgiving. Alex was celebrating her near finish with Graduate School, and Geoff was celebrating his recent entry into the U.S. Marine Corps. This morning’s ride was a gift from their parents Clay and Melaney. Just before 8:00 AM, The Peaks of Otter Trotter was brought to life and Alex and Geoff climbed aboard. At precisely 8:00 AM, The Peaks of Otter Trotter took off near Owen’s Market on Rt. 460 between Lynchburg and Bedford City.
Alex (left) & Geoff (right)
With light winds from the west, The Pride of Forest began to drift slowly down Rt. 460 towards Lynchburg. Alex described the takeoff as a “little weird” because it took a little getting used to the floating sensation. But it didn’t take too long before both passengers were captivated by the beautiful landscape.
The Peaks of Otter Trotter quickly ascended to 4000′ MSL to try and catch a southwesterly wind, but Mother Nature elected to provide us a westerly wind instead. The skies were clear and the visibility well in excess of 10 miles.
Geoff (left) & Alex (right)
Looking to the northeast
The Peaks of Otter Trotter continued to float down Rt. 460 towards Lynchburg airport, and it looked like that would provide the best landing opportunity. Ken (pilot) contacted the tower and advised them of our intent to land. After about 50 minutes from takeoff, The Peaks of Otter Trotter began its approach for the airport.
Approach to Lynchburg airport
Passing the control tower
After receiving the clearance to land, The Peaks of Otter Trotter set down set off runway 4. The Forest Winds crew crew coordinated with airport security to come out and receive the balloon. After a beautiful textbook landing, the ground crew walked the balloon over to the Falwell Jet Center where it could be safely deflated and packed up.
The Falwell Jet Center
In no time, the crew packed up the balloon and moved outside the airport security fence. Once outside, we all got together, popped open a bottle of sparkling apple cider, and celebrated to an incredibly awesome flight!
Melaney, Alex, Clay, Geoff & Ken
Forest Winds wishes to congratulate Alex and Geoff on their accomplishments! We know they’ll go far!
For more pictures of Alex and Geoff’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/112708Thanksgiving#
Wendy and Paula, two very adventurous women from Botetourt County, couldn’t sleep last night because they were so excited about taking a hot air balloon ride today. Many of you may be too young to remember, but once upon a time Virginia Polytechnic Institute used to have a women’s division (know as Radford College, Women’s Division of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute).  Wendy and Paula are graduates of VPI’s women’s division and Hokies through and through. These two very special ladies have pretty much experienced most everything adventurous (with the exception of sky diving, but that’s coming soon), but a hot air balloon ride was still on their “bucket list.” Today was the day!
With light winds from the west, The Pride of Forest hot air balloon took off at about 7:40 am with Wendy, Paula, Ken (pilot), Ed (co-pilot) and Renee aboard. Ed is a long time member of the Forest Winds hot air balloon team and Renee is Ed’s cousin from Alabama.
 Wendy, Ed, Paula, Ken, Renee (L to R)
The morning was cool (40°F) and the grass still wet from the morning dew. The sun was rising quickly in the east and The Pride of Forest was making its way down Rt. 221.
Take off from Goode Station Rd.
As we climbed to over 2000′ above the ground, it didn’t take long before we drifting easterly in excess of 18 mph (although it didn’t feel like it). The skies were crystal clear and the ground below filled with all the color of fall.
The Peaks of Otter
Wendy, Paula and Renee couldn’t believe all the beauty this morning had brought. The morning seemed absolutely perfect.
 Paula and Wendy
The Pride of Forest continued to track easterly along Rt. 221, and within 50 minutes was drifting over Forest, Virginia.
 Mt View United Methodist Church
Since the morning surface winds were beginning to pick up, we opted for a our first landing opportunity off Grave Mills Road, and a nice field in front of Hanson Industries (off Millrace Dr.) provided the perfect spot. The Pride of Forest quickly set down and, with the assistance of two helpful employees from Hanson Industries, was brought to rest for a text book landing. Wendy and Paula were soon joined by family members that followed the entire flight, and in the midst of such a beautiful morning, glasses were raised to celebrate this wonderful experience.
 To soft landings!
For more pictures of Wendy, Paula, and Renee’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Wendy_Paula_Renee_Flight_11908#
November is here and it’s a great time for a balloon ride! On the first day of November, Susan, David and Barbara got up before sunrise and joined the Forest Winds hot air balloon team for a ride across the skies of Bedford County. The morning was cool (36°F) and the winds were calm (at least on the surface). Shortly after 8:00 am, Susan, David and Barbara were on their way, drifting upward and easterly from Goode Station Road in Goode, Virginia.
David, Susan, Barbara & Ken
A beautiful take off!
The fall foliage was absolutely spectacular.
Over Bedford County
As The Pride of Forest continued to climb, the temperature became warmer and warmer (temperature inversion) and the winds actually became lighter. This doesn’t happen very often, but Barbara, Susan and David didn’t seem to mind. A little warmer weather actually felt pretty good.
Barbara
Susan & David
As the sun continued to rise in the east, the winds on the surface began to pick up, but we also had considerable variance in the direction. This allowed us to navigate the balloon to a nice big open field. Our ground crew wasn’t convinced we would be able to steer the balloon to a field over 1/2 mile away, but with a little zig, then zag, we were on a perfect approach to the field of our choice.
Landing at Simms Field
The Pride of Forest approached the field at about 8-9 mph, but after a few hops, the balloon came to a successful stop right in the middle of the field. This in turn provided the perfect setting for a ballooning celebration!
 The celebration!
For more pictures of David, Susan, and Barbara’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/DavidSusan_and_BarbaraFlight11108#