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Adventure Guide: Up In The Air

hot air balloon floats over Park Meadows

There really are countless ways to enjoy the Wasatch Mountain Range. You can slide down them when it’s snowing, or bike down them when it’s warm. You can hike them, camp in them or wildlife-watch in them. Many of the most adventurous among us have done all of that and more. Think you’ve seen it all? Think again. One of the truly unique ways to enjoy the mountains is from above! In a hot air balloon! You’ve seen our gorgeous mountains every other way; from the cozy confines of a hot air balloon, you can gain a whole new appreciation for them.

So, where to begin? Thankfully, this is not a new idea, and there are several hot air balloon guides that will take you up and blow your minds. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that this activity takes some planning, especially in the time of COVID-19. Many hot air balloon touring companies are limiting trips to private group-only to reduce interactions between strangers. So if you want to float the friendly skies, you’ll want to put your own group together (preferably already within your quarantine bubble!) and make a reservation ahead of time.

Here are two of your options for getting into the skies above Park City:

Bigfoot Balloons
385-285-5899
Bigfoot Balloons offers one-hour flights and they leave from 6065 Silver Creek Drive in Park City. You’ll cruise at 1,500 feet and, as is hot air balloon tradition, cap off the adventure with a champagne toast!

Skywalker Balloon Company
801-824-3934
While Skywalker offers flights from Ogden, Heber and St. George, it calls the Park City tour its “signature” European mountain experience. Flights leave at sunrise, and groups meet at the Best Western Landmark Plus, 6560 N Landmark Drive. Increased vehicle and equipment sanitization is in place, as well as free masks and hand sanitizer for all passengers.

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Some hoping Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic helps community through difficult year

The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic is returning for its 30th year in September.

Hot air balloons will take over the skies of Boise Sept. 2-6.

It's an event many long-time Boise residents can't imagine life without.

"Being a local kid myself, this is something I didn't even know was one central event. Just something I thought happened in Boise every day," said Mateo from 103.5 KISS FM.

People involved in this year's event, like Mateo, have high hopes that it will help our community through a difficult year.

"It's something that especially right now while we're all so distanced can bring an entire community together," Mateo said.

CBS2 is proud to join Townsquare Media and CapEd Credit Union in sponsoring the event.

Make no mistake -- the community's health and safety is the top priority.

"We're feeling great about it, we're going to follow all the guidelines, we're excited to bring a bit of energy and hope to the community," Mateo said.

Organizers of the spirit of Boise are meeting with city and health officials to talk about how they can make the event safe for everyone involved.

As those details are released, we'll share them with you.

source

Idaho's favorite hot air balloons returning in September: Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — "Finally we have something we can look forward to. It's like a real Boise tradition," said John Moug and Angie Morales of "Moug and Angie in the morning."

We certainly do have something to look forward to.

The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic is returning for its 30th year.

Mark your calendars.

Hot air balloons will begin lifting off from Ann Morrison Park on Sept. 2.

This is video from our drone of last year's event.

Organizers, including our friends at Townsquare Media's MIX 106 , are taking the health of the community seriously.

"We're working with the city and with the state and with the FAA and everyone is taking COVID-19 into consideration and we just want to make this the safest event possible," Moug and Angie said.

Once all meetings with city and health officials are complete, we'll update you on any adjustments.

CBS2, Cap-Ed Credit Union and Townsquare Media are proud sponsors of the event.

Throughout our coverage, we'll also be honoring founder Scott Spencer, who died earlier this year from cancer.

source

Low-flying hot air balloons scare tradie on Melbourne's Eastern Freeway

A Melbourne tradie copped a fright on his morning commute when he spotted two low-flying hot air balloons hovering "literally above" him.

Brendon Vamplew was driving along the Eastern Freeway early on Monday morning when he saw the big balloons hovering close to traffic.

"I genuinely thought it was going to come down in front of me," he told 7NEWS.

"I was actually quite scared to be honest."

Mr Vamplew filmed the balloons, which appeared to get very close to each other as well as close to an overpass.

"That's so dangerous .... it's literally above me!" Mr Vamplew yells in the video.

The air balloon company involved said the balloons were on routine journeys across Melbourne and landed safely in Yarra Bend as planned.

The incident prompted a safety warning - not about balloons, but about motorists using phones while driving.

"Whether you're looking at Facebook or you're taking videos ... it means that your focus is not on the road," the Department of Transport's Chris Miller said.

"And you're putting other people's lives at risk."

7news

Balloons take flight over Morgantown

Eighteen hot air balloons brought color to the already-colorful fall landscape in Morgantown over the weekend.

The 35th Annual Balloons Over Morgantown event hosted four balloon launches and a NightGlow for participants to come and see the balloons in full swing.
Starting in 1984, Balloon Meister Van Anderson decided he wanted to bring hot air balloons to Morgantown after seeing them at a festival in New York for the first time. From there, Balloons Over Morgantown was born.

Andy Claydon, Balloons Over Morgantown Event organizer, said Morgantown is an enjoyable and interesting place to fly balloons, compared to other places he has been to.
“Flying over this countryside is wonderful,” Claydon said. “If you fly out west somewhere, you basically take off, and you land wherever you want to, and what you see is mostly the same.
This area is very challenging with the hills and valleys.”

The event previously started as a festival where guests could come park and watch the balloons take off all in one location. However, because of a lack of space, Balloons Over Morgantown has been launching the balloons all around Morgantown the past three years instead.

“The only time we can really get the public and the balloons together is at the NightGlow, because there is no area where we can park cars, have entertainment, fly the balloons and have everyone close to the balloons at the same time,” Claydon said.

Claydon said although the balloons fly over the place the event is, it is still a great way to bring the community together. He said he encourages everyone to come and try and spot the balloons when they are in town.
“I think the first time you see a balloon up close you’ll know why you want to go and see one,” Claydon said. “They’re a rather wonderful aircraft. After all, the first time man was ever able to fly was with the balloon. There is just something about them.”

thedaonline

Five Questions To Ask Before Taking a Hot Air Balloon Ride

By K. Petit
Can you picture yourself on a summer's day with clear, blue skies floating overhead in a hot air balloon? It's a great way to see the landscape; having an unobstructed view and feeling the wind blowing around you is an entirely different sensation than looking out of a small window as you zoom across the planet in a jet. Balloon flights are very popular as gifts for family and friends. Companies that run flights usually provide some champagne at the end of the journey to celebrate and participants receive a certificate authenticating the experience. Some couples choose to get married in a wicker basket high up in the sky. This is not a legal ceremony in the UK as yet but it is possible in Florida.

The hot air balloon transport was invented by two Frenchmen, the Montgolfier Brothers. There is a model of their original balloon from 1783 on display at the Science Museum in London. In 1960 Ed Yosk took his design skyward in Nebraska. That is essentially the version used today, and the material has evolved from the light nylon used by Yosk to balloons of a nylon or polyester material.

Most ballooning has been done as a pleasant, leisure activity. In later years the business world has begun to book hot air balloon companies for corporate hospitality and staff outings. Now there are many sport-type competitions and some adventurers have set out to make balloon flights for the record books. The world record for altitude was broken in India in 2005,when a balloon ascended to 21,290 meters (69, 852 feet). This isn't a safely recommended height; at that level oxygen is required.

Designers and pilots have invested a lot of time and money into making the activity as safe as possible and reputable companies who take the public on balloon flights have very good safety records. There have been accidents, most of which resulted from coming into contact with power lines. Rarely have accidents been solely due to pilot error.

When you are booking a hot air balloon flight, you should know at least five things.

1. Are the pilots FAA certified? FAA certified pilots renew their ratings twice per year by passing a flight review given by a commercial balloon pilot.
2. Is the balloon equipment FAA certified? FAA regulations require periodic inspections by FAA certified inspectors.
3. Has the company ever had any FAA incidents? These would be public records. Also ask if there have been any accidents at all. Before flight you should see the crew doing a thorough safety check. They will inspect the rigging, envelope, gondola and balloon. They will also know the weather report. If any single thing is wrong the flight should be aborted.
4. Does the company have insurance? Unfortunately a few in the past have not. Hopefully that will not be a problem for anyone now.
5. Is there an adequate crew? You are on the balloon ride to have fun, not to assist with take-offs, landings, or anything in between.

If you find you really love ballooning, you are not alone. Enthusiasts like to come together at the many events organized in America, Canada, the UK and Europe. There are annual hot air balloon festivals where the public can enjoy a great day out and competitors take part in races. The US National Hot Air Balloon championship has a different location each year and was in South Carolina in 2006. There is also a world championship and this took place in Japan in 2006.
I almost forgot. Do not forget to take a camera!

K.Petit

K. Petit is an adventure travel enthusiast. See more at http://www.playourplanet.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K._Petit

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/551059

Hot Air Ballooning - A Beginners Guide

The original way to fly from the first known flights of the Montgolfier brothers to more recent pioneers like Sir Richard Branson's record breaking flights Hot air Ballooning is one of the most fascinating sports to participate in.
Hot air ballooning is probably the slowest way to fly and probably not the safest but as far as being the most spectacular it's hard to beat. Booking a hot air balloon ride is fairly easy and common there are lots of Hot Air Balloon company's providing excellent flying experience.
Before taking the plunge and booking a flight check out the company and it's pilots experience as making sure the company has been certified by the CAA and the pilots are qualified and have a good safety record.
I started off going to Hot Air Balloon festivals there are some great shows around UK, Europe and the States the biggest being the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta which is held in October every year. In Britain we have 2 good Hot Air Balloon festivals the biggest being the Bristol Balloon Festival and it was great lots to do and see as well multiple Balloon launches over two hundred balloons took part.
Hot Air Balloons come in a lot of different shapes and sizes depending on the usage the really large ones are used to carry more people and sometimes you can see these saw for miles as they must contain the ability to carry more weight and more fuel on board.
Hot Air Balloons are difficult to pilot and must be flown in the early morning or in the evening as these are the times that the air is most still and manageable for the pilot. During the day there can be too much interference from thermals lots of hot air rising that can cause the hot air balloon to be unstable.
So if you book a balloon trip and its early in the morning don't forget it can very cold at altitude sensible clothing and a woolly hat are recommended items. Listen carefully to the safety brief from the balloon centre paying attention often makes for a safe landing.
Knowing what to expect does not prepare you for the feeling seeing the burner heating the balloon and standing in the basket waiting for the lift off which is carefully controlled by the pilot to be smooth as not to rise too rapidly.
Once in the air the you see the world from a totally unexpected way as you glide almost silently across the land. Some countries that have wild animals this is one the greatest ways of seeing wildlife in the natural stat without disturbing them.
Having been on many balloon rides in the UK and Europe as well as Africa I can recommend that this is an experience that you will never forget. However on the one in Africa I was a little pre occupied with not coming down in a heard of lions or something else. Fortunately as you will find out the balloons are tracked with GPS so that the support vehicle so that they can quickly pack up the Hot Air Balloon when it lands.
A hot air balloon is steered by the pilot understanding that air at different heights moves in different directions and the pilots skill is to interpret the weather for the day and adjust the height of the balloon to go in the correct direction for the day's planned flight.
Riding the skies at dusk and dawn is a real thrill and looking down at our busy way of life while drifting across the sky makes for a real fun day out. I urge you to put this on one of your to do before you die lists and get out there and cloud hop across sky.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Bolton

5 Ways to Make Hot Air Balloon Flights Safe

By Harold Gorton

An activity that roots all the way back to man's first dream of flight. An endeavour that despite its far beginnings still captivates a lot of enthusiasts in these modern times. Hot air balloon flights are still sought after. By those who want something different from any kind of aviation adventure. Something that everyone can enjoy with the smallest of preparation, zero skill level and less anxiety. It may be easy, simple and an activity within everyone's reach, still as with any outdoor activity there are risks involved. Avoidable ones, given the proper knowledge and safety briefing. Here are five ways to make this activity safe and successful.

1. Advanced research always pays off. Before you even start booking you balloon flight, it doesn't hurt to learn a bit about what they are and how they work. Do a bit of fact finding and read up on some comments of people who have enjoy balloon flights and seek a bit of expert advice from enthusiasts and operators as well. It also pays to do a bit of reference checking on the potential flight providers.

2. Hot air balloon rides are one of the very few activities that has little restrictions on who can ride. Almost anyone can enjoy a scenic hot air balloon flight, even people with physical disabilities. If you are undergoing medical treatment, make sure that you inform you pilot of it. Pregnant participants from six months on are not allowed to ride. Likewise, wheelchairs and oxygen tanks cannot be accommodated on board.

3. One of the prevalent injuries linked to hot air balloon flights is a broken ankle. Flat shoes or better yet running shoes are the most adequate footwear for this activity. Balance is important most especially when landing. You will be taught that the best position when landing is in a tucked position that will have you squat down leaning far back and holding onto a rope. It is advisable that you wear a long sleeved shirt during the flight. You may be positioned in the basket that is near the burner where the heat may be uncomfortable on exposed skin.

4. Never attempt to fly intoxicated or under any substance. This will alter your perception which can pose a very imminent risk to you and the people that you will be sharing the balloon ride with. This activity is full of that adventure high which is absolutely all natural.

5. It's a great idea to have kids enjoy a balloon ride, but one must have the good sense of realizing if they will really enjoy the flight or if it would be better to take them when they are at an age where they can truly appreciate it. Oftentimes, children younger than ten enjoy the first part which is inflation, and ground preparation. This is something new to them and they will be undoubtedly interested. Take off is a marvellous feat as well. But remember that flights usually take an hour or more and five minutes into the flight they may totally loose interest and ask for an early landing. It is a good idea to brief them of what the activity will entail from start to finish and then decide if they are truly up to it.

It's the most basic yet one activity that is full of amazing sights and discoveries. In any chosen endeavour potential risks should always be kept in mind and prepared for. Hot air balloon flights may be a slow paced and relaxed activity, but this characteristic doesn't spare it from possible risks. Being aware, prepared and in the know will be an important factor in eliminating these risks and making this feat as enjoyable as it can get.

Harold Gorton is a lover of hot air ballooning. He is also an experienced writer and enjoys sharing information and tips on hot air ballooning with other like-minded people. Harold Gorton has experienced and tried hot air ballooning all around Australia and recommends anyone interested in hot air balloon rides to give it a go!!

Hot Air Balloons in Phoenix and Scottsdale

Apex balloon

Apex Balloons is a full-time hot air balloon company offering premier hot air balloon rides in the greater Phoenix & Scottsdale Arizona area. They specialize in private balloon flights for two or more guests. their flights in Phoenix depart each morning at sunrise, seven days a week, year-round. In the cooler months from November through April they also offer a late afternoon balloon flight each day.
The Apex balloon offer a much more personalized and dynamic balloon flight experience than other hot air balloon tour companies in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. They also have commitment to safety.

Tips

1.When booking a flight with a balloon company, ask to speak to one of the pilots if possible. You are less likely to get misleading information from a pilot rather than a sales agent, who may be more interested in securing your deposit rather than making sure you are well-informed.
2.Ask specifically about the cancellation policy. These differ wildly from company-to-company, and some are much more lenient than others when it comes to last-minute cancellations.
3.Make sure the company you choose has a current and valid liability insurance policy and have a good commitment about safety.
4.HAVE FUN !

Website :www.phoenixballoonrides.com

DAILY NEWS / TRENDING NEWS

Adventure Guide: Up In The Air

Some hoping Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic helps community through difficult year

Idaho's favorite hot air balloons returning in September: Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic