August 9, 2013 Passengers: Kathy & Al Houck, Jo Anne Paxton, Ron George We got ourselves caught in a drizzle yesterday and all went home but today we meet at the Keizer site and the pi-ball tells us to move out to the Waconda Rd. site. The sky is a bit overcast but we have a workable ceiling above us as we get to work on the balloon. We get the heat in the balloon once standing I call for the passengers to board and we are off the tarmac heading out to the ponds of Knife River. The conditions are just ideal for a “dip” into the pond so I drop us down for the “shot” and that is when we get the skids wet. It’s over the train then the tress with a bit of a hook to the east over the hops off Wheatland Rd. We cross out of the “bottoms” and I get some altitude so the passengers can get a look around the area. I spot Mt. Hood off to the east, a first time look in several weeks. We cross out of the farm country and are into the north end of the Meadows area of Keizer and spot a bunch of garage sales being set up. I radio the “gang’ to move to the fields by the day care farm as that will be the LZ (landing zone) for today. The gang is on the spot for the catch and we get the balloon deflated, tagged up and the passengers do the “sit”. We load up and head back to Finney Lake for the picnic. I get the story started, the toast is done and the certificates are presented. PASSENGER COMMENTS: Al & Kathy: “Super experience!! Thank you so much for allowing us to be with you today.” Jo Anne & Ron: “Enjoyed the view, the guide, the ‘yarns’ spun, the quiet morning it was all an experience to remember. Thank you!!” A BIG thank you to today’s Crew (I can’t get in the air or back on the ground without’um) Mike, Ed, Cecil TRACK Average Speed: 3.0 MPH Distance Flown: 3.7 Miles Websystem hosting provided by WolfPk. | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2017 Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc. Legal Information All Rights Reserved.