June 16, 2012 Passengers: Korbel Ballard, April Hudson, Viola Monroe, Brian Hudson Just another day in “Paradise” as we get in the air again with a really fun group. We are again on the parking lot at the school in Keizer as the gang gets to work on the stretch out and set up. We get some air in Starship and it is time to have the passengers get on board. The boys set the “Plank” up and we are off the lot and on to the “adventure”. It is a FANTASTIC morning to “play” and one look at Mt.Hood is all you need to confirm that fact as we “slowly” drift over the city of Keizer. The winds are very light this morning and we just “zig & zag” around the area over Keizer for all of the flight getting a really up close look at the city. We start to creep up on the river and I really don’t want to go over to the west side so I call the tower and get permission to drop, looking for some down slope drainage off the hills. I find the hook back to the east so we will stay on the east side of the river. We are in parking lot “territory” for LZ’s today as we have missed several church’s and school yards already. I have the “gang” move in close and stay tight as the lower breeze has a lot of steerage to it and I miss the first shot by only a few feet having to climb out over a large cedar tree on the edge of the lot I picked. Well that’s Urban flying, you “miss more LZ’s than you hit”. I start looking for another spot and after a few minutes we are over a few more larger parking lots off Cherry Ave and the Parkway. After I set the shot for the DHS lot I get a sharp hook to the west so I move the gang to the Senior Center and that should be the shot. I have to pop over some fir trees toward the street then spot the gang waiting on the lot for the drop, then catch and a short “tow” to the back lot out of the way of the activities. We get the balloon deflated then tagged and have the passengers do the sit. Cecil got stuck on the “tuck” and was plum “tuckered” at the end. Our thanks to our “lookie loo” turned chase crew from Hermiston, Carlisle Harrison it is always nice to have some EXTRA help at the catch. We load up and take the short drive back to City Hall for the party. I get the story started, the toast is done and the certificates are presented. PASSENGER COMMENTS: Korbel: “Thank you so much Jim for such a wonderful day. The education lesson, lovely food & the laughs you are too fun!! We will defiantly come back with the kids. Thank you!!” April: “What a great experience! This was definitely a once in a lifetime! Thank you so much!” Viola: “The ride was great. Really enjoyed it. I have wanted to do this for a long time.” Brian: “Had a great time, it was an amazing flight. Jim has a great personality & is a great guide!” A BIG thank you to today’s Crew (I can’t get in the air or back on the ground without’um) Cecil, Brad, Mike TRACK Average Speed: 3.0 MPH Distance Flown: 3.0 Miles Websystem hosting provided by WolfPk. | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2017 Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc. Legal Information All Rights Reserved.