Up Up and Away

My parents met when my mom joined up with a traveling singing group called Up With People that my dad was a part of. I remember the songs that they would sing when we were kids. One of them that really stands out in my mind is "Up, up and away. My beautiful, my beautiful balloon." It was the beginning of my love for hot air balloons. I loved hearing that song.

Then when I lived in upstate New york there was a balloon launching site near our house. We would often have hot air balloons flying over our home. I even crewed for a balloon one time and was going to go up, except for the fact that it was too windy. So I never got to go up.

When I moved to Oregon and the amazing summer weather showed up I was driving my motorcycle to church one morning and I saw a hot air balloon in the parking lot of the catholic church. I asked if they needed help and the rest is history. 13 summers now I have been crewing with Jim Desch and Balloon Flying Services. I don't get paid in the traditional way. I get paid with flights. So, yes. I have flown many times. It's AMAZING! Like nothing I have ever done. I love it.

So many mornings when the weather is nice and if you are up early enough in the Salem/Keizer area, you just might see a balloon up in the air. Keep a look out for a chase van. We are following from below and getting ready to "catch" the balloon when it's ready to land. Want to fly with us sometime? Check out the website www.balloonflying.com.

What is something that you do for fun?