The Best Date Ever!!

Derek took me to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Statesville, NC because he knows how much I love hot air balloons.  Seeing the bright colors of the balloons and hearing the blow of the flames just brings back great childhood memories.  I really felt like I was sitting on my front porch, as a child, watching the balloons come over the trees.  The balloon fest in Burlington, NC was one of my favorite times of the year but since that festival is no longer held I was so happy to hear there was another location to see these wonderful creations.  I can't help but smile when I see a hot air balloon!!

Before the pilots unpacked their baskets and balloons.

There were 50 balloons.  This is actually a competition.  The goal is to get your flag closest to the white X.

The pilot inflates their balloon and then takes flight in the direction of a big white X that is painted on a field not far away.  Once they are as close to the X as possible, the pilot will throw out the flag.  There is a person waiting at for the flags to be dropped and keeps up with whose flag is the closest.  

I love all the bright colors and the life that is brought to each balloon as it inflates.  

Each balloon has it's own character, no balloon is alike, just like each person on this earth.  

This has to be my favorite...all the bright colors...it just makes me happy when I see it.  

I also really like the picture I was able to get of this balloon as it approached the X.

Thanks Honey for all the fun!!

Derek has to have a silly photo!  

 

Derek asked if I wanted to go see the balloons land after their 30-45 min flight...I said, "SURE, let's go chase some balloons!"  You should have seen his face when I said that...he looked at me like I was crazy.  Hot Air Balloon chasing is so exciting.  You basically get in your car and chase the balloon.  Your passenger has to keep their eyes on the balloon and tell the driver what direction to drive.  It's almost like a game of hide and seek.  If you get to the balloons as they land then sometimes the pilots will let you help put the balloon away and get an up close look at the balloon. 

This is the field where the white X was located. 

We actually got to see this balloon come over to the X and drop their flag...I love this picture.  I am practically under the balloon.  

 

So, the balloon chasing paid off! We were able to see this balloon land in a person's driveway. 

This pilot was awesome.  She was able to land in a neighborhood without hitting power lines or landing on a house!! While we were there the pilot and her crew asked if we wanted to help.  This picture is of the inside of the balloon as you would look up if you were standing in the basket.  

This is Derek helping, along with the crew and another family, fold up the balloon and put it back in this black bag.  The balloon it self, with out the basket, weighs 300 lbs.  It's amazing to see up close.

Like I said before, this was the best date ever! Derek was able to see why I like hot air balloons and now our goal is to one day take a hot air balloon ride.