August 16, 2013 Passengers: Marni, Gage, Natalie Redding, Brandun McGanty, Shirin Richens Today we return to the Zena Valley and will fly (finally after several reschedules) off private propertybelonging to the Redding family. We get Starship pumped full of air and Cecil puts in the heat for us, the passengers get on board and we are off the ground. The pi-ball (test balloon) pretty much went straight up so it looks like we will “hang” around the area until I can find some steerage to get us someplace. After a few minutes we manage to make it past the “home place” and head into the forest behind the house and up the hill to the south. What little breeze we have is VERY light (you can tell by the Average Speed posted below) as the family comments about not having seen this part of the valley. Once we break out over the ridge we find a VERY large vineyard on the top of the Eola ridge. The drift south slowly continues as we drop into a little valley with a pond and I’m thinking a “dip” but Marni thinks not so we settle for a “close” reflection shot. Finally I spot a couple of possible LZ’s ahead and I talk with the owner of the first and he has “lamas” in the field so we go to the next one in line, no animals in this field but LOTS of “road apples”. Our “host” Cory has been chasing and grabs all the passengers to give them a lift home so it’s just us “boys” to tag & Bag the balloon for the trip back. I get the story started, the toast is done and the certificates are presented. 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: 1.4 MPH Distance Flown: 1.9 Miles Websystem hosting provided by WolfPk. | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2017 Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc. Legal Information All Rights Reserved.