June 12, 2013 Passengers: Robin & Travis Stickel, Terrie & Mark Janquart We are in the “lull” before the storm today, so I call for the south site with the forecast at calm to 2 from the south. The pi-ball proves I had a good choice so we meet at the parking lot and get to work on the balloon. In a few minutes we are pumped up and I have Cecil put the heat in, then we get the passengers on board. We are off the lot a bit after 6 AM and drift off to the east, northeast at an easy pace. We cross into the old Fairview Hospital property and I drop low to see if we can find some deer, nope but tree hop for a bit. We slip out toward the housing area then on to airport. It is early and the tower hasn’t opened yet and there is NO traffic so I decide that this a good time to show the passengers an up-close look at our airport. Once we get past the restaurant I get a hook to the east and we head to the “Guard” side of the field and get a look at the Army Air wing we have stationed here. It’s a Medical evacuation unit so all the choppers have RED crosses on them. We zig to the north and pass between Wal Mart, Lowe’s and then past Costco. We cross I-5 into Medowlawn golf course and are on one of the fairways for a few minutes then I get a bit of a hook to the north. The hour is at the end and time to find a LZ (landing zone) and Cecil calls on the radio and suggests that the muti-plex is on the track so I start to work the lower winds so we have a shot. The “gang” beats us there and I work us into the parking lot for a drop and they catch us on the pavement. The top is out and the deflate is started, soon it’s time to tie up and get the starship back in the bag. We appreciate the “invite” to use the lot and we head back to south Salem for the picnic. I get the story started, the toast is done and the certificates are presented. PASSENGER COMMENTS: Robin & Travis: “Amazing flight! We loved seeing Salem & doing a fly-by at the airport. Very fun experience.” Terrie & Mark: “We had a wonderful, smooth flight & landing. Awesome crew, couldn’t of had a better time. A once in a Lifetime Experience, thanks to Jimmy & his crew.” A BIG thank you to today’s Crew (I can’t get in the air or back on the ground without’um) Tim, Cecil, and Ed TRACK Average Speed: 4.0 MPH Distance Flown: 3.8 Miles Websystem hosting provided by WolfPk. | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2017 Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc. Legal Information All Rights Reserved.