Up! Up and Away in this Beautiful Balloon

Every year on Father's Day weekend my village hosts the Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival! It's great fun! I've known Gary Lovell, a local pilot for a few years and tonight he gave me the surprise of a lifetime! A ride in a Hot Air Balloon. Piloted by Gary Lovell of Balloons over New England. A perfect calm night for a balloon ride! We started from the Green in my home town of Quechee.

Here I am helping to inflate the balloon.

Close to full!

The Balloon is filled almost completely before the Pilot adds the heat and tips up the balloon.Into the Basket I go!Do I look Excited???Basket View!My beautiful village from the air looking down (you may be able to make out the Quechee Covered Bridge on the River Edge. Center top of the photo).More village shots!Looking East from my village I heart Ballooning! (do you see it?)

You will only see this view in Vermont

(Our chase vehicle and my husband wait below for us).

Another Balloon pops out of The Quechee Gorge, Derek

Derek climbs higher into the evening sky - Beautiful!Here we are coming in for a landing - We touched down very softly!My Husband (in the tye-dye) helps pack up the BalloonPOP! Yes! We upheld the 200 year old tradition of Champagne on the landing!My Pilot Gary Lovell and his helper Bruce Toast to Cheating Death (??*%! - Now he tells me?)Wonderful picnic at the landing!Here I am with Gary happy to have had such a wonderful flight!Ever wonder how they get all the passengers home? Now you know!

I highly recommend Gary at Balloons over New England - You can just make out his phone number in this photo, but let me give it to you just in case! 800-758-5562!

Book early for the best flights!!

Until Next time!