September 20, 2013 Passengers: Rick & Jean O’Grady, Naomi and Tallitha Parham We have a shift in the weather (with fall just a couple days away) so I call for the south site today. The pi-ball (test balloon) show us this is the right spot so the gang gets to work on the balloon as the passengers get settled in. We get hooked up, then pumped up and Cecil takes Naomi inside for a closer look at how big Starship is. Time to add the heat then get the passengers onboard. We are off the lot and catch the drift to the north with the sun trying to burn through the high clouds. We slide by the airport then continue to the north at an easy 7/8 MPH as I climb to flight altitude. As we cross over the I-5 interchange in northeast Salem I spot the LZ for today, the Indian School property off Chemawa Road. I drop lower to take off some speed as the gang moves to the school for the catch. I missed the parking lot but we drew out all the students on the way to class. The gang tows us to the lot for the take down and pack up. The passengers do the “sit” and we load up for the drive back to the park for the picnic. I get the story started, the toast is done and the certificates are presented. PASSENGER COMMENTS: Jean: “What an experience, to fly like a bird! So quiet, so majestic thank you Captain Jim….Excellent breakfast too!!” Rick: “What a view of the City and the weather cooperated, thank you so much for a wonderful ride!” Tallitha: “Incredible! Definitely a ‘must do’ experience. I can’t wait to go up again! Thanks!” 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, Jerry Average Speed: 8.0 MPH Distance Flown: 8.4 Miles Websystem hosting provided by WolfPk. | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2017 Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc. Legal Information All Rights Reserved.