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the wandering chick
...A hot-air balloon ride

As they say, there's a first time for everything. And this was my first hot-air balloon ride. All I have ever heard from anyone who has taken one is that even if you're afraid of heights, this is an easy peasy ride. No fear.

And it held true. There may be anticipation nervousness, but the ride is so gentle, so calm, there was no fear whatsoever. In fact, it was a first for the small group of six of us who went. And we all said the same thing: "I didn't even know when we were off the ground."

Our ride took place in Maricopa County, roughly on the area between Lake Pleasant and Sun City. Our main landmark was the White Tank Mountains, the north side.

It was a professional crew, an outstanding pilot and a delicious after-ride breakfast.

Would I do it again? Oh, yeah!!

over the Sonoran Desert
balloon heaters
from above
balloon ride
mountain view
mountain view
sunrise
The balloons typically take off either early morning or late afternoon. Ours was a 6 am take off, hence a sweet sunrise.
Our group of six spends our winter at Lake Pleasant RV Resort, so we were excited to see the park and the lake from above. These views are looking north.
aerial view
aerial view
aerial view
aerial view
aerial view
aerial view
aerial view
aerial view
aerial view
A view of the Central Arizona Project (CAP), a series of canals and reservoirs that bring water to Arizona from the Colorado River.
view of the Central Arizona Project (CAP), a series of canals and reservoirs that bring water to Arizona from the Colorado River.
view of the Central Arizona Project (CAP), a series of canals and reservoirs that bring water to Arizona from the Colorado River.
view of the Central Arizona Project (CAP), a series of canals and reservoirs that bring water to Arizona from the Colorado River.
view of the Central Arizona Project (CAP), a series of canals and reservoirs that bring water to Arizona from the Colorado River.
The White Tank Mountains
view of the Central Arizona Project (CAP), a series of canals and reservoirs that bring water to Arizona from the Colorado River.
view of the Central Arizona Project (CAP), a series of canals and reservoirs that bring water to Arizona from the Colorado River.
aerial view
the basket
aerial view
aerial view
deflated
The basket is divided into 5 sections, holding 20 people and the pilot. The passengers take up four corner sections, and the pilot is in a middle section directly under the burner system.
the basket
group shot
the landing
breakfast
After the ride, a celebratory champagne breakfast was served.
Six of us took the ride to celebrate a dear friend's 80th birthday.
transport van

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