Saturday, October 3, 2009

Would You Like to Fly in My Beautiful Balloon?

That's ME up there!

It finally happened! This morning's weather was perfecto-mundo in every way, and I was airborne at sunrise. More details and more photos later (at least the fewest number I can limit myself to share -- I took 237 and Gardening Daughter, who drove me to this event, took 55.) I promise not to overwhelm you. The first two photos in this post were taken by Gardening Daughter, who assisted with balloon preparation, and followed the chase car all the way to landing. The sunrise photo below is mine.



Pilot David and me just before lift-off. Do I look happy? I was!

Sunrise over Lake Maumelle, west of Little Rock, Arkansas

It was marvelous!

I'm off and away now to participate in World Card Making Day activities.

More later.


22 comments:

Jackie said...

Absolutely beautiful!...and the balloon and the sunset are too.
You look radiant....and you are.
What a wonderful experience....
Smiles from Jackie

Sherry Peyton said...

Oh Pat how wonderful! I am so envious! Thanks for the pics. The sunset is too beautiful!

Wanda..... said...

You look extremely happy Pat...and a beautiful sunset to top it off...what a memory for you!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, Pat...how absolutely wonderful!!!I'm so very, very happy for you!!! And what a fantastic photographer your daughter is!! ~Janine XO

Peter said...

Congratulations! Marvelous! Whoopeee! So pleased that you managed to go aloft beneath that beautiful balloon. Lovely photos, do post More!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Congrats, Pat. I'm SO SO SO envious. I'd love to do that someday. WOW--did you see a gorgeous sunrise. Hope you show us many many more of your photos. Where did you have to do to 'catch' your flight????? That is just the neatest thing I've ever heard of... SO glad you did it.

Hugs,
Betsy

Snap said...

Oh, Pat! How wonderful! I'm so glad you got your balloon ride. Isn't it wonderful?!!! So quiet. Amazing feeling up there. YeeeeeHaaaaaw!

cottonpicker said...

Riding in a hot air balloon has always been something I would like to do someday. What a neat photo of you. I've been following you for a long time and now I finally can put a face to your wonderful stories!

Kerri Farley said...

Pat, so glad you finally got "lift off". What a special day! You look so happy!

Arkansas Patti said...

What a beautiful balloon and you are obviously thrilled. That had to be an amazing trip. I would love to but am scared of heights so don't know if I could. Maybe someday.
Hope more pictures are coming of your view from up there.
You go girl.

rhymeswithplague said...

Up, up, and away!

I looked for signs that you had lost your marbles, but I couldn't find any.

Rottlady of the Ozarks said...

How cool is that! I would love to do this, your pictures are great and I'm so glad to hear that you finally got to go.

NitWit1 said...

HOW BEAUTIFUL. Looking forward to some more spectacular photos. So Happy it finally happened. I'm sure it was worth the wait!

The SUNRISE photo is magnificant. SUNRISES are so difficult to capture--minutes, instead of hours, to capture color.

Countrygirl said...

Hoorah!!! What a wonderful day for you.

Hilary said...

Wow.. I'll bet it was an incredible experience. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos. :)

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I'm so happy that you finally did it. You look deliriously happy.

Unknown said...

Incredible! What a view, almost like a bird.
Happy Twirls

Carolina said...

Oh wow! Beautiful photos. Can't wait to see the rest.
And you look just like I'd imagined you. Great!
Glad you finally got to enjoy your present ;-)

Suldog said...

Pat! How cool are you?

Answer = VERY!

Awesome, awesome, awesome! You got up in a balloon! You are the very definition of when someone says "You Rock!"

Kappa no He said...

I am so jealous. I've never been in a hot air balloon. You look absolutely gorgeous!

terrie

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Just stopped by to see what other exciting adventures you are on...Love to you, dear Pat!!! Hope you are having a wonderful week! ~Janine XO

Amila Salgado said...

So, you did it. Wow!
What a wonderful experience it must have been. Oh! Yes, you look very happy in that. You were very fortunate to have those lovely blue skies greeting your ride. Amazing last shot.