September 11, 2013 Passengers: Ryan & Bailey Denno, Andy Ruble, Alina Godrey Back to the north site again today after a day off yesterday. Not so and involved flight today just two couples, no band hiding in the bushes but another beautiful sunrise. The boys get the gear off the rig, the balloon out and filled with air then Cecil gets us up and ready for the passengers to board. We lift off the field and get a drift to the north (not the way to go) but a little more altitude and we hook back to the south as planned. We head toward the ponds of Knife River but no dip today as I stay higher to hold the track to the south as the passengers start to settle into the flight. We have a beautiful clear day today and not much speed up higher either. The hour is close to the end and we are over to Don Earle’s farm and his recently harvested wheat field is calling my name. I call the “gang” to move across the road to the field and when I get below 200 feet we get the shove back to the north again so a drop line will keep us off the hop field next to us. The gang catches us and we get the balloon deflated with Ryan’s help. The gear is packed up and the passengers do the sit for us. It’s get loaded up and head back to the airport for the picnic. I get the story started, the toast is done and the certificates are presented. PASSENGER COMMENTS: Alina & Andy: “Gorgeous day for a balloon ride! Great views of the surrounding area, nurseries, hop fields, wheat and a lovely sunrise over the Willamette Valley. An awesome crew, thanks for a wonderful morning!” Ryan & Bailey: “Beautiful morning, amazing scenery, friendly people! The experience was more beautiful, just perfect and more than I imagined. This was the best Anniversary surprise ever!” A BIG thank you to today’s Crew (I can’t get in the air or back on the ground without’um) Cecil, Tim, Ed TRACK Average Speed: 3.0 MPH Distance Flown: 2.6 Miles Websystem hosting provided by WolfPk. | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2017 Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc. Legal Information All Rights Reserved.