Saw a display tonight of hot air balloons at a festival. They didn't go up......just set up and lit up the night sky with their flames (I'm assuming it isn't legal to go up at night for obvious reasons). There was 8 of them in a relatively small space and they were amazing! Several times they synchronized their blowers (or whatever those things are called) so they all lit up at once.

Have you ever been up in one? Just how safe do you feel in one? I imagine the view is incredible?

my kids actually got to ride one free one yr. this guy was giving kids free ride down by the park.. my mom had always wanted to ride one and she checked out the price as a friend of hers was going to go and for a hour it was like $300

300$ eh? Yikes. Well it sure looks like it would be something I might like to do at least once!

Also.....either nobody else has any opinions on hot air balloons or I am just a really boring thread starter...

Sigh.

I always wanted to ride in one, but still haven't. The best time and often only time to ride (that I have found with local balloon ride vendors) is sunrise or sunset, for some reason.

Never go up in a hot air balloon drunk.

I think either would be a magnificent view. I'm just not sure I can get over the whole height thing, although I really want to.

No kidding.....of course because there would be no place to pee........

Well I guess the drunken stumble would kind of hurt too.

Ive never done but I would love to one day and will!!!

everyone should do something at least once........ life is too short!!!

So True!

It's because there are either more or fewer ( can't remember which right off hand ) thermal updrafts to deal with. Those can play havoc with a hot air balloon.

Not to mention...just imagine being 1000 feet up and watching a sunrise.

Come to think of it....I believe it's because of a lack of thermals.

Just add in a mimosa and someone to share it with and that 1000 foot elevated sunrise is def. worth 300 bucks!

just do it!!!

Yep. Except for the fact that I am fat and afraid of heights...lmao

I think we all need to face our fears in life..........
geeeeeeeeeeeeez were only here for a few years............do what you can NOW!!! before its too late!!!

Face our fears?? Been there..done that....STILL scares the sh*t out of me.

Just, I will go with ya. Its not so bad when you face a fear with someone else.

Being in a hot air balloon was one of the most fun exciting and fullfilling things I ever got to do. I was working in radio at the time and was supposed to be doing remotes from the balloon... but my radio died almost immediately after we lifted off, so I was able to just enjoy the experience.

It was one of the most peaceful experiences I have ever had. Because you're traveling at the speed of the wind, there is no relative wind..... and I swear you can hear everything for miles.

I also remember towards the end of the flight the balloon pilot telling us to "hold on" because we were about to land. I was thinking "how is that possible... I can still see the tops of trees?". Then we hit the ground...... they weren't trees I was seeing... they were clumps of grass. I had completely lost perspective of our height... we were way out in the country and there weren't many good ground references.

I'd do it again if not for the cost.

It's not too bad if you stay on the tether, it's the actual free flying that can get a bit rocky!


My in-laws do the National Hot Air Ballon thing, So if you ever see "Arky" The really big Noah's Ark, you Can meet the Evil Ex-In Laws of mine

I have faced my fears and have never regretted a thing!!! I went down a 70 ft water slide to prove to my son that I wasnt scared.........I was scared sh*tless!!! But I did it........and I made sure I did it again...........