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My wife and I arrived at the tiny, grass strip airport before the pilot and
crew did. We were watching the first glow of dawn when they pulled up next
to us. After the introductions the pilot sent up his test balloon checking
the air currents. It drifted off to the southwest to approx. 1000 feet and
then veered to the north. He said he would try to rise quickly to catch the
northern air current since that would take us over farm land and avoid the
large town to the southwest and the marshes just beyond. After the crew
completed setting up the balloon (which was very interesting to watch) he
told me its time for launch. Since my wife is afraid of heights and
wouldnt go he let a crew member hop aboard with us. We drifted off to the
southwest and after seeming to simply hang motionless for a few minutes
caught the light breeze going north, just as the test balloon did. We
climbed to 2,300 feet testing the winds and when he saw they were still
heading north we came back down to 1,500 for most of the 75 minute flight. I
was hoping to see more wildlife but we did see a few deer and a flock of
geese flying a few hundred feet below us. When the burner was off we clearly
heard dogs barking down below. Part of the fun was listening to the crew
member on board communicating over the radio with another member of the
chase crew. When it was time to come down :( we headed for a large farm
just ahead. By now the wind had picked up considerably and I noticed we were
coming in rather fast. We skimmed across the top of a corn field and after
dragging maybe 50 feet landed in a soy bean field. Along the way we
inadvertently shelled a few. :) Within a few minutes the chase crew pulled
up and went to their work of repacking the equipment. After a short drive to
the farm house the pilot informed the owner of the small amount of damage to
his crop and gave him a bottle of champagne which he was more than happy to
receive. After driving back to the airport we had the traditional champagne
breakfast. The flight lasted 75 minutes but the entire experience was more
like 3 hours. I loved every second and will sure be going back for more. :)

Charlie

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