July 31, 2013 Passengers: Ravi Balasvbramanian, Swathi Kamakshi Svbramanian, Mary Anne Watson, Patty Norberg We are again back at the west siteas the flow (is suppose to) from the south. The pi-ball (test balloon) shows that we have very little movement so I decide that this spot will work. We get the balloon out and prepared for flight. We lift off the lot and head out to the south up over the west hills heading toward the river, not the direction I had expected. We also have some fog creeping in from the west that may become a problem. I go higher looking for a different direction and have no luck at all so we keep heading to the southwest and will cross the river. The passengers are having a lot of fun, but they don’t have to find us a “friendly” spot to park later. The lower level winds have fallen off so I drop us down to by some time for the “gang” to get across the bridge and down south River Road to meet up with us. We hang around River Bend Sand & Gravel for a bit and I place a call to my friend Doug at Illahe Hills country club to give him a “heads up” that I’ll be dropping in soon. The “gang” comes into view and I start to work the winds for the golf course. The gang has met up with Doug at the shop so now all I have to do is get us there. I get us on the course and work us toward the #1 fairway and we drop in and settle gently on the grass. The boys come to us and gives us a tow off the fairway as the club is active and it’s Ladies Day. I unload the passengers and we get the balloon deflated and packed up for an escort from Doug off the course. I say goodbye to Doug with my thanks for the use of the property and we head back to the park for the picnic. I get the story started, the toast is done and the certificates are presented. PASSENGER COMMENTS: Patty: “Thank you so much for the high-flying, fabulous 51st Birthday!! The flight, food, friends and forever memories will keep me smiling! Thanks!” Mary Anne: “What a wonderful experience! Best way to celebrate with my life long friend. Our landing on the golf course was amazing!” Ravi & Swathi: “What an experience for us! First time flying in a balloon and it was fun, informative journey with a picnic afterward. We will remember this event forever.” A BIG thank you to today’s Crew (I can’t get in the air or back on the ground without’um) Mike, Cecil, Ed, JoAnn & Punk TRACK Average Speed: 4.0 MPH Distance Flown: 4.9 Miles Websystem hosting provided by WolfPk. | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2017 Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc. Legal Information All Rights Reserved.