June 29, 2013 Passengers: Gary & Dee Brown, Herb Hofmann Today is forecast to be AGAIN HOT and the winds light and all over the place, much like yesterday. I call fro the West Salem site as the main push aloft is from the west to the east northeast. We have a beautiful sunrise as we get the balloon out and hooked up for flight. Once we get pumped full of cold air I have Cecil do the stand up for us. Time to get the passengers on board and we are off the lot heading a bit to the southeast toward the river. As I get toward the river I get a hook to the north and we can “cruse” down stream for a bit so I have the gang move to the walking bridge for some photos. We really pick up speed between the tree line (7/8 MPH) so our stay on the river is short. We come out in the Keizer area just over a popular “watering hole” then past Fred Meyer. I gain a bit of altitude and we do a bit of a “curly cue” over the Parkway and get a sharp turn to the north heading for Cap Chevy’s new fountain in the pond. There is a little (man made) island next to the fountain and our track is heading right for it and the “gang” is right on the spot for some photos. It’s going to be “bean bag” time so I give one to each passengers, Dee & Gary and the Birthday boy Herb. I make the first try to show them how and miss, Dee gets closer, Gary puts his on the green and Herb just misses. We cross the Parkway and into no land, land so I go higher to get some east push toward some LZ’s. I spot Claggett Creek School and have the gang move there as that will be the spot today. The boys move to the track as I set the shot and once I clear the fence I send down a line and they post us right onto the shot put area. They move us to the track and we deflate, get the balloon bagged and load up for the return to the west side for the picnic. I get the story started, the toast is done and the certificates are presented. PASSENGER COMMENTS: Herb: “Great flight and great birthday present, the experience of a lifetime!” Dee: “Best view of the valley EVER! Fantastic ride over the river, we will never forget! Thanks to our great crew!!” Gary: “Great ride, great stories and the pilot and crew are outstanding. The perfect way to start out a Saturday morning!” A BIG thank you to today’s Crew (I can’t get in the air or back on the ground without’um) Tim, Cecil, Ed TRACK Average Speed: 3.0 MPH Distance Flown: 5.0 Miles Websystem hosting provided by WolfPk. | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2017 Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc. Legal Information All Rights Reserved.