June 15, 2012 Passengers: Rachel Robertson, Lori Dunn, We are back in the “saddle again” after two turn around trips to Kent WA this week (one Monday and a repeat on Thursday) but have a great morning today. I call for a meet at 5:30 at Keizer City Hall and the pi-ball (our little helium test balloon) tells me that we will have what was forecasted, light winds up top from the NE to the SW. I move us over to the school for a dry parking lot for the set up. We have a Birthday on board today, Lori called us over a month ago to book her (to herself) present. We have a bit of a “tangle” like we always do after and inspection but we get the balloon pumped up and ready for the passengers to board. It is time for the “safety briefing” and any questions from the passengers and we are off the parking lot and on to the adventure. We head out over Keizer for the first few minutes and it looks like the track will take us to West Salem today. The “gang” gets packed up as we drift off. The speed up top is about 4 MPH so we will have a good day as we drift toward Cummings School where the gang has staged right across the street from a daycare center so we have dozens of “little lookie loos” to entertain. We leave the “kiddies” behind with the “gang” handing out a supply of Trading Cards. We have crossed the river into West Salem and drift over the dairy past the just planted corn field that will be “cow food” in October. We get into farm country over the hazelnut fields and I spot a possible LZ (landing zone) ahead. We have a large Park & Ride lot next to Wallace Road in West Salem that we use so I radio the “gang” to stage there. As I set the shot I get a push to the south and have the “gang’ move to a small open field behind a couple of houses for the landing. We get the balloon deflated and ready for the bag, with the passengers doing the “sit” as required. We get loaded up and return back to Keizer for the picnic. I get the story started, the toast is done and the certificates are presented. PASSENGER COMMENTS: Rachel: “The dream of my life! Thank you for an amazing adventure.” Lori: “Thank you for a Great way to celebrate my BIG 50th Birthday.” A BIG thank you to today’s Crew (I can’t get in the air or back on the ground without’um) Tim, Cecil, Molly, Brett, Lance, Brad TRACK Average Speed: 4.0 MPH Distance Flown: 3.5 Miles Websystem hosting provided by WolfPk. | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2017 Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc. Legal Information All Rights Reserved.