July 11, 2013 Passengers: Joseph Ferreira, Lois Frieman, Pete Peduzzi We got blown out yesterday but the forecast for today looks to be calmer so I call for the far north site. We have travelers from the east coast today and I’ll pick them up at the Grand Hotel downtown on my way out. We are met by a gorgeous sunrise as we get the balloon set up then filled with cold air. I get the heat added, and we are now standing tall and I call for the passengers to come on board. A little more heat and we are off the ground and heading off to the south at an easy pace. It’s over the hops and down low over the windrowed grass fields on the way to Knife Rivers gravel operation. The water is just to “tempting” so I set us up for a little “dip” and I get the floor wet today. We cross over the grading yard then on toward the edge of Keizer. The wind has picked up and I’m looking for a spot to park and I have the gang move to Claggett Creek Park for a shot, but we miss it to the east a bit. Next is Weddle School and this one we miss to the west. I get a clear shot for a couple of fields behind Home Depot that we use so I have the gang move there. Our speed is to fast for a drop line assist so I will use a tree top in the approaching tree line next to the field I want to hit. The gang does a great job with the catch, and I see that the flag at Cap. Chev. tells us….GET DOWN. We get the balloon deflated, the passengers do the “sit” and we load up for the trip back for the picnic. I get the story started, the toast is done and the certificates are presented. PASSENGER COMMENTS: Pete, Lois, Joe: “Thanks for a unique and delightful experience.” A BIG thank you to today’s Crew (I can’t get in the air or back on the ground without’um) Mike, Ed, Cory (on end) TRACK Average Speed: 6.0 MPH Distance Flown: 7.3 Miles Websystem hosting provided by WolfPk. | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2017 Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc. Legal Information All Rights Reserved.