July 16, 2016 Passengers: Karol Bender, Don Bender, John Adams, Natalie Jennings We have a heavy overcast today with light onshore flow off the coastal range so I call for the boat ramp in Keizer as the starting point today. The pi-ball (test balloon) confirms the push from the west as we get the gear out and assembled. We get some cold air into the balloon and Cecil invites the passengers to get an “inside look” at Starship. Cecil does the up for us today and when balloon is standing tall and we get the passengers loaded up and head off the lot with the expected drift to the east toward the river We are over the gravel pits at Salem Mobile Mix and I get low for a nice reflection of the balloon in the water below. We cross over the tree line and will drift back into Keizer. The chase crew stage just off River Road as we drift by overhead. We continue toward the northeast passing over the Kroc Center then get a hook back to the north a bit and I miss our LZ off Portland Road. We are coming upon a City Park and it looks like I can get there if this track will hold up. The gang gets to our LZ and I use some tree tops to take off the edge, drop a line and we are safely on the grass below. We get the heat out, the balloon is tagged up and back in the bag with the passengers doing the “sit”. We head back to the launch sit and grab a picnic table and get the party started. I get the story started, the toast is done and the certificates are presented. PASSENGER COMMENTS: Don: “Jim was awesome and kept his pants on…Thank you!” Karol: “Thank you and God Bless.” John: “So much fun! The landing was the best part. I would do it again. Jim’s the best pilot…thank you!” Natalie “Best phrase of the day.’There are no emergencies in a balloon’. Thank you!!” 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: 3.7 Miles Websystem hosting provided by WolfPk. | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2017 Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc. Legal Information All Rights Reserved.