This has been a Bucket List item of mine. Has anyone done this? Comments appreciated.
We must have grown up together. Falling off the cliff was a recurring dream. Another recurring dream when I became an adult was riding in a car going around a bend on a raised multi lane freeway and the car was spinning out of the freeway and going down... down below... I am terribly afraid of heights.I’ll stay on the ground, thanks. As a child, I had nightmares about falling to my death from cliffs and such. Hanging below something, then falling, were recurring themes. I don’t mind flying in an airplane, but you’d have to really convince me to get into a helicopter or hot air balloon. Go figure.
Dave
I did a hot air balloon ride as part of a Safari in Tanzania. We did not go very high, as the main goal was to see the wildlife below. Even though i don't like heights, it didn't not bother me as much as i expected.
In the right circumstance, i would do another balloon ride.
At the end of our ride we had champagne, and there may have been food as well, but it was out in the middle of nowhere. I remember dh's aunt, who didn't go on the balloon ride, was incensed that she couldn't be included in the champagne breakfast. She kept saying she'd pay for it, they had to keep telling her it was only for those who went up in the balloon.We did a balloon ride in Napa.
The biggest downside for us is that they start at a god awful hour of the morning. Oh - and the price - we got some kind of a deal that brought it down.
The ballon flight itself was great fun and then ended things with a champagne brunch at a local restaurant.
There are different sizes of balloons and different sizes of baskets/gondolas. I did one in Napa/Sonoma 30 years ago and last year went up in Albuquerque during the International Balloon Fiesta with hundreds of balloons in the air at once. Lots of fun, it is eerily quiet when the burner, that heats the air and makes the balloon ascend, is off as there is no wind/breeze as you are moving with it. Landing can be a little rough depending on the winds at ground level because they are pushing the balloon which is still inflated when you touch down.Thanks for all responses. They have an annual event nearby (Cathedral City, CA). Last year I attended an evening event, with food and music, but the balloons were tethered. This year I learned I can book a ride with one of the 20+ balloons that will launch at 6 am Friday. Made a reservation but was starting to get cold feet. Your replies helped me. The most surprising thing was to hear they can hold 12 people. I thought it was more like 4. "Up, up and away!"
This has been a Bucket List item of mine. Has anyone done this? Comments appreciated.