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!
For their 4 year anniversary Butch wanted to do something really cool for his bride Laura, so he called Forest Winds. We immediately sent him through the mail a classy gift certificate that he could present to her in his own unique way. And according to Laura, it was indeed pretty unique. You see, Butch pulled all the stops out and put together a very impressive PowerPoint presentation. The date was set, and all was good….except one little problem. Laura was planning a very special celebration for Butch’s birthday, which coincidentally conflicted with the flight date. Our phone rang, and it was Laura. She explained the situation and pleaded that we call Butch and tell him anything, just so long as the flight date was any day but Saturday. Hmmm, this was going to be tough, but the call was made. We explained that the weather wasn’t ideal for Saturday and would need to postpone the flight until Sunday afternoon. Without fuss, Butch completely understood.
Sunday afternoon (11/15/09) arrived and seemed to be shaping up for a pretty good flight. With surface winds reported from the SSW at about 5 mph and the temperature at 73°F, we were going to make a go at it. Butch and Laura met up with the Forest Winds crew at 2:00 PM. While the paperwork was being completed, the crew released a pilot balloon to ascertain the wind direction and speed. And off to the SE it went. Based upon that direction, we selected a launch location to the NW, just off Goode Station Road. So we all got into the car and drove out to the site. Once there, we launched another pilot balloon. Much to our dismay, the wind direction had changed and now was coming from the SW. So we got back into the car and drove out to our launch site just off Rt. 460 near Owen’s Market. It didn’t take too long though before we inflated and ready to go.
Inflated and ready!
After the pre-flight checks were completed, we added heat and were on our way at 3:15 PM.
Up and headed NE!
The Pride of Forest hot air balloon quickly climbed out to the northeast, rising above the tree tops and into the clear blue skies above.
Looking north
With light winds aloft, we elected to climb higher…ultimately reaching an altitude of over 3000′ MSL. There we were, slowly drifting to the east at about 5 mph….and then the moment struck. Butch turned to Laura and asked the question…”Will you Laura take me for another 4 years?” And without hesitation, she said “yes”!
Butch & Laura
We continued to drift easterly back towards Forest, not really sure where we ultimately going to land. Having flown for almost an hour, it was time to begin setting up for the final approach. We communicated with Lynchburg tower our intent to land off Rt. 811 and then slowly began our descent. Surface winds were still about 5 mph, so the landing was going to require some skilled manuvering. Just off Fox Ridge Road seemed to provide the best option, so that’s where we headed. After toping the trees, we performed a quick vent and brought The Pride of Forest down to the ground where our ground crew chief could assist with “weight on” to bring the balloon to a safe stop. Once secured, we walked the balloon back up to the road and commenced deflation procedures. Once down, it was time to party…so party we did…champagne and all!
Happy Anniversary!
Forest Winds says happy anniversary to Butch and Laura! Best wishes on the next 4!
For more pictures of Butch and Laura’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Butch_and_Laura_Flight_111509#
Last night at dinner Nicholas proposed to Rachel, and it all seemed so perfect. Here were two recent graduates of Liberty University, looking to further their education in Florida, but now looking at each other and planning a new life together. After Nicholas proposed to Rachel, it didn’t seem like it could get any better….but it did! This morning they were going to go on a balloon ride to celebrate their engagement. So at 7:00 AM they met up with the crew of Forest Winds, eager to begin what lay before them. After a quick wind assessment, we all drove out the selected launch site off Goode Station Road. The morning was extremely humid, dew still on the grass, and low lying ground fog covering the countryside. When visibility finally increased enough for a safe flight, The Pride of Forest hot air balloon was brought to life and Nicholas and Rachel climbed aboard.
We’re ready to go!
At precisely 7:58 AM, we were airborne and headed east.
Way cool!
Below us, the world was still asleep….Mother Nature even had the blanket (fog) pulled up over parts of the countryside bed.
Still asleep below.
With a little bit of altitude, it didn’t take too long before we approached the outskirts of Forest. Naturally we came down just above the tree tops to see about slowing down a little bit.
Nicholas & Rachel
Turns out we were actually able to backtrack a little bit and head southwest. So…..what the heck…we did that for a little while.
Backtracking!
After about an hour, we began to look for a suitable spot to set down, but Mother Nature had other plans. The winds were becoming variable, and the spot we had picked out was proving to be a little bit of a challenge to make. So, we changed the plan and climbed a little higher to catch a wind to the south. Before long, we crossed over West Manor and were making the approach for Everett Road. With a little bit of skilled flying, The Pride of Forest came to a perfect one hop landing just off the road at 9:22 AM.
With such a beautiful flight behind us, it definitely called for a celebration. So celebrate we did!
Cheers!
Forest Winds would like to say congratulations to Nicholas and Rachel on their engagement and would also like to wish them many more soft landings for all that lies ahead. The wedding has been set for July 17, 2010.
For more pictures of Nicholas and Rachel’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Nicholas_and_Rachel_Flight_111509#
Today was a perfect day for a hot air balloon ride, just as Lee’s family had hoped for. Clear blue skies, calm winds and 40°F….the morning dew was still on the grass. Before this morning arrived however, Lee’s husband Brian, her daughter Chelsea (student at JMU) and her son Michael (student at Jefferson Forest HS) surprised her with a very unique PowerPoint presentation centered around the hot air balloon theme….flight info, music, balloon pictures….the works! Lee had talked about wanting to see Forest from the air, and even had a hot air balloon ride on her bucket list. So it just seemed like the right time to make it happen.
Lee and family met with the Forest Winds hot air balloon team precisely at 6:45 AM. Sunrise was just two minutes later. With light surface winds from the west and winds aloft from the northwest, we needed to head west towards Goode and set up for inflation there. So everyone piled into the chase vehicle and we drove out to Goode Station Rd. Once there, we prepared for inflation. We even managed to recruit Michael as an honorary crew member to assist. In no time at all, The Pride of Forest hot air balloon came to life and at 7:45 AM we were ready for take-off. Lee and Chelsea were ready to go.
Lee and family!
Once airborne, we drifted slightly to the north, but quickly turned south as we gained altitude above 1600′ MSL.
Up, up, and away!
The visibility was absolutely spectacular, and oddly enough there was still a little color in the trees below.
Looking north.
We continued to climb higher and higher to see where the winds would take us. Even above 3000′ MSL, they were still very light and keeping us headed to the south. So we drifted in that direction for a while…all the time taking in the magnificent scenery around us. Chelsea kept busy snapping pictures with her cell phone camera.
Chelsea and Lee
After playing around at > 3000′ MSL for a while, we decided to come back down to the surface and see which way the winds would take us. Turns out we picked us a nice westerly wind just above the tree tops, so we continued to drift to the east back towards Forest, following Rt. 221.
Over Bedford County
With the flight going so well, time just managed to fly by …. but at 8:40 AM, it was about time to look for the perfect landing spot. It didn’t take too long however before we spotted a perfect field just outside of Forest near Virginia Memorial Park (off Rt. 221). Our ground crew was already on the scene and ready to assist the landing. The property owners were out on their back porch watching the approaching balloon. And at 8:52 AM, we were down….a perfect landing!
Although the flight was over, the magic wasn’t. With glasses raised high, we toasted to a great morning, a great flight, and to wonderful way to celebrate a birthday!
Happy birthday Lee!
For more pictures of Lee and Chelsea’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Lee_and_Chelsea_Flight_11809#
Diahn really wanted to do something special for her husband Mark, but there really wasn’t a special occasion. She just wanted to show Mark how much she loved him. On this particular Saturday, Mark was supposed to go into work early, but Diahn convinced him to postpone going in for just a few hours. Mark had no idea why. They both got into the car and Diahn quickly blindfolded Mark to keep the mystery alive. At 6:45 AM, Diahn and Mark arrived at that the designated meeting spot. With his blindfold still on, Mark emerged from the car not knowing what to expect.
Diahn keeping the mystery!
Diahn finally removed the blindfold and Mark immediately recognized that he was about to embark on a hot air balloon ride …. something the both of them have been talking about for quite some time. Forest Winds had already completed the wind assessment and selected the launch site, so we didn’t waste any time getting into the car and start heading to the location. Under clear skies and light winds from the southwest, The Peaks of Otter Trotter hot air balloon came to life just off Rt. 460 near Owens Market. At 32°F, there was a slight chill in the air and the ground was still damp from the early morning dew. After Ken (pilot) completed the pre-flight checks, Mark and Diahn climbed aboard.
We’re ready for takeoff!
At 7:50 AM, The Peaks of Otter Trotter was airborne and we were on our way.
See ya later!
Slowly we climbed out and began to head to the northeast.
Beautiful morning!
After we gained a little altitude and cleared the tree line, it didn’t take too long before The Peaks of Otter Trotter was cruising at 16 mph. Down below, you could hear the occasional dog bark, but for the most part it still seemed like everyone was still asleep.
Mark & Diahn
We continued to make our way to the northeast towards Forest, sometimes flying high, and sometimes flying low over the tree tops. The winds aloft were reported to be fairly high, so we elected to stay low and keep The Peaks of Otter Trotter at a reasonable cruising speed.
Looking northwest
As the morning sun continued to heat the land, the surface winds were beginning to build. From time to time Diahn would look down at the GPS and call out the balloon speed to Ken. Sometimes we would be cruising at 7 mph, and at other times we would be cruising less than 3. Around 8:40 AM, it was time to begin looking for a landing spot. We were just off Rocky Branch Dr. in the Brookstone subdivision, and just ahead was a perfect field to accommodate the forward momentum of the balloon and provide a large enough area to stay clear of any obstacles. So with a pull of the vent, Ken gently set The Peaks of Otter Trotter down with only two small skips. At 8:45 AM, we were safely down in the field….on Deer Hollow Road. Within 15 minutes, the Forest Winds ground crew was on the scene and making preps for the deflation and pack up.
Toasting to a great flight!
For more pictures of Mark and Diahn’s flight, go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/forestwindsinc/Mark_and_Diahn_Flight_11709#