After two years of delays and failed coordination attempts, I finally got to go up in a hot air balloon and mark that off my bucket list.
The entire process fascinated me, from setting the balloon up to taking it down.
The balloon company is Rohr Balloons. The owner, Brian, and his wife Sherry are personal friends. Their daughter is the same age as my granddaughter and the two girls have gone to school together since first grade.
Once the balloon is attached to the overturned basket, they set in place big diesel-powered fans to begin inflating it.
This is looking inside the balloon as it inflates
Next, Brian tests the burners.
Now the balloon is fully inflated and ready to get set upright. Climbing into the basket was a challenge, but I managed. And we took off.
The liftoff is absolutely magical. There is no motion, no sound except for the firing of the burners and you slowly drift up and over the treeline. That was my favorite part! We rose to a little over 6,000 feet. Then I could see forever!
I loved looking upward into the balloon!
Looking up inside the balloon
We flew for close to an hour and a half. I hate to use the word flew because it was more like floated or drifted. Such an incredibly free feeling and a great way to gain a new perspective on life.
Close to the end of the flight, we did what Brian called a “splash and dash” where he touched the basket down on the surface of a local lake, then quickly rose back up and over the treeline and high line wires. That was fun!
The landing was a little rough. Brian instructed us all on how to brace for the landing and to be prepared for possibly tipping over. That had my heart racing just a little. But he managed to keep us upright and we all safely exited the basket.
Then, we were treated to a champagne toast, and refreshments while Brian relates the story of how that tradition got started. Apparently, in the early days of hot air ballooning, they literally burned wood or other objects to make the balloon rise. The pilots would often land in farmers’ fields and accidentally set fires. So they started bringing libations to appease the farmers. Whether or not that is true, it made for a good story and a toast to a safe landing.
It was a fabulous experience that I look forward to repeating.
If you’d like more information about balloon rides in North Texas, here are some links for you.
Great photos Jan, must have been an amazing experience. 🙂
Thank you! Yes, it was. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment, K.!
An amazing experience, Jan. Loved the photos, too!
It truly was, Mark. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for this lovely tutorial and hot air balloons. Sounds like you had a blast. What a fun experience that would be. Although, I would be leery about the landing too lol 🙂 x
Thanks for stopping by, Debby. Yes, the landing was a tad bit jolting. 🙂
🙂
Wow! What a beautiful experience xxx
It truly was, Wendy!
Wow, Jan. Soo cool. I think I’d have 50 photos of the inside of the balloon. It’s so pretty. And thanks for describing the experience for all of us with our feet on the ground. It sound peaceful and exciting at the same time. 🙂
It was my pleasure to recount the experience, Diana. I should have taken more photos of everything, but I was too immersed in the experience to remember. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
My husband and I have wondered if we should add this to our bucket list. 🙂
How cool! I’m a huge chicken. I’m glad you had such a fun time. <3
It was awesome, Colleen! Thanks for leaving a comment!
It was good to see you having fun. 😍
Yes, yes, yes! What a memory I had with you and others on that beautiful day with the fall temperature. It was so delightful, peaceful, refreshing, and calming to experience that soft, gentle floating that morning. Wish my legs were a little longer, that would make it easier to get in and out of the basket.
Judy, the joy of getting picked up and put in and taken out of the basket was priceless. When was the last time a big strong man picked you up? 🙂 And did you see John Howell’s hello below? I loved sharing that experience with you!
Yes I did! The feeling is mutual my dear friend! Will never forget it!!!!
Big love and Hugs!!!!!!!!
Yep, that joy of being picked up and put in and out of that basket was overwhelming, in the most unexpected way. That made my heart and face smile. The last time I was picked up was definitely in the last century. Oops!!!!
So glad you finally got to do this. We have a balloon festival here every year and it’s fun when the sky is filled with colorful balloons.
A wondrous sight indeed, Craig! Thank you for stopping by!
I’ve never done this, but I’ve always wanted to give it a try. This is a big thing in the wine country where my wife grew up (Sonoma, CA). I was knocking things off my Bucket List quite regularly before Covid interfered with travel.
Yes, Pete, COVID put a halt to a lot of our aspiring travels. I hope you do get to go and have the experience. I would imagine that floating over wine country would be much more scenic than over a big metroplex like Dallas. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Wow! What an adventure you had, Jan. That looks absolutely amazing. I love the thought of floating and drifting. It must have been so exhilarating and so magical. Wonderful photos and wonderful post!
Magical and exhilarating are words that do come close to describing the experience, Mae. It’s something I’ll never forget and hope to get to repeat. Thank you for stopping by!
Congratulations, Jan. I’m happy for you. I saw your photos on Facebook getting ready. ☺️
Thank you, Miriam!
Your welcome, Jan!
It sound like an experience of a lifetime, Jan what beautiful pictures and behind the scenes information as to how it happens. How amazing to float along with the birds.
It was an experience of a lifetime, Denise, and I am so glad I finally got to do it! It certainly puts a different perspective on the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing your experience, Jan. Good to see Judy again. Tell her hello from me.
Oh, she will be thrilled, John. I most certainly will tell her hello. Thank you for stopping by!
😁
Hi John, this was undeniably an extraordinary experience and one with lasting memories!
I’m glad you finally got to take the trip. It brought back wonderful memories of my Hot Air Balloon ride. An experience I will never forget.
I agree with you. It truly is an unforgettable experience, Darlene. Thank you for stopping by!
Someday, someday, I plan to follow in your footsteps. It looks glorious, Jan. These are forever memories – ones you will cherish through all the years ahead. 💗
Yes, they are, Gwen. My friend calls them rocking chair memories. This is one I will look back on and smile about. You are in a perfect location to seek out a balloonist and the view for you will be incredible. Thank you for stopping by! Hugs!
Wow, what an experience! I am happy you made this dream come true, Jan!
It was incredible, Erika! Thank you for stopping by!
My pleasure and thank you for letting us be part of your great day!
Wow! What a phenomenal experience, Jan! Thanks so much for sharing!
It truly was, Mary! Thank you for stopping by!
Sister, I’m so glad you FINALLY got to do that! It’s a once in a lifetime experience. I loved the quietness up there and just floating along. It didn’t even feel like I was moving at all. It was like being suspended and there was nothing to be afraid of. We tend to fear far too much in life and miss out on wonderful experiences. 🙂
I agree, sister. It was like being suspended in the air and it was so quiet. The floating experience was so very special. And when Brian said we were over 6,000 feet, I was shocked. It didn’t feel like it at all. Just incredible. Thank you for stopping by, sister. Here’s to getting past our fears and living!
That is very cool!
It truly was, Jacqui!
Congratulations, Jan! Absolutely beautiful photos, but (for me) an utterly terrifying concept. I don’t like heights to begin with, detest taking an airplane when I need to, and would never, ever have had the courage to do this. But I applaud you for your bravery, and for finally getting to do something you’ve really wanted! That’s the best part! Thanks for sharing the photos, too. I enjoyed the entire trip … vicariously! 😂
It was an incredible experience, Marcia. I never felt afraid (well, maybe just a little with the rough landing.) But I loved it! Thank you for your comment!
Jan, that looks remarkable. I’m so glad you got to do that and had an amazing time. And I love the lore about the celebration at the end. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
It truly was an adventure, Staci. And the story at the end made it even more fun. Thank you for stopping by!
I hear there is going to be a tourist balloon that goes to the edge of space. Is that next?
Oh goodness, Leon, I have no earthly idea. Thanks for stopping by!
How fun and magical! I went up in a hot air balloon for my 14th birthday, I believe it was. I loved it!
Awesome!! It is an experience like none other. Thank you for stopping by, Alethea!
The only balloon I have been in was the Bournemouth Eye – tethered in Bournemouth Gardens for half an hour up and down with sea views. The time we went a little boy cried because he thought he was going for a real ride sky high to another land! Not sure if I would be brave enough to soar into the unknown!
Lol! What a great story. I can only imagine what the little boy was dreaming of. Thank you for sharing. Happy Friday!
I am so happy for you, Jan! Going up in a balloon is something I think I would enjoy.
Forgot to say I enjoyed the video and the song!
Yep. It’s gonna be stuck in my head all day! 🙂
It was truly incredible, Joan. If you ever want to try it, I have connections. 🙂
Awesome! I’m so happy you were able to do this, Jan. What fun! Thanks for sharing it with us. I love that song! 🙂
I know, Jill. It’s going to be stuck in my head all day! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
So thrilled you finally got to go up for your balloon ride! The height would have both terrified and thrilled me. Awesome pics, Jan, and great memories 💕🙂
It was absolutely amazing, Harmony! I will definitely be up for doing it again! Thanks for stopping by!
I’m so happy you were finally able to go up in a hot air balloon. I thoroughly enjoyed my ride over Napa valley. 🙂
I can only imagine how beautiful that was, Yvette! Flying over the metroplex was awesome, but still not like it would be with nothing but the beautiful landscape below! Thank you for stopping by!