Ballooning Over The Rio Grande

For Father's Day, I gave Mr. Pin Junkie a ride in a hot air balloon
and I went too!  

Neither of us had ever been in a hot air balloon before.  I have to admit, I was a little bit nervous.  I'm not afraid of heights, but I was a little nervous about being up so high with nothing but hot air keeping me there.  I had nothing to be nervous about.  Taking off was so smooth,  I almost didn't realize the balloon was in the air.  It was such a gentle ride, there wasn't even the sensation of moving although I could see the ground moving below me.   

We flew over the Rio Grande and we did a "splash and dash" which is when the pilot guides the balloon down to dip the gondola in the water.

After that it was up, up and away!  The balloon went up to about 1,000 feet and it was amazing to see the city from that height.  Not like being in a plane at all.  No noise, no sensation of flying or moving, and spectacular views in every direction.

The view below . . .

and the view above . . .

After landing, we enjoyed a champagne toast with our pilot and fellow passengers and concluded with the traditional balloonist's prayer:

The winds have welcomed you with softness.

The sun has blessed you with his warm hands.

You have flown so high and so well

That God has joined you in your laughter

and set you gently back again

into the loving arms of Mother Earth.