Ballooning in Idaho – What a Ride!

While on our vacation out west, my husband and I got to go on a hot air balloon ride! It was EXHILARATING! And very interesting! We both really enjoyed it.

We met the crew of Elevated Ballooning at 6:30 AM, when it was only 27 degrees! This Floridian was wearing six layers of clothing, which did the trick.

Fly Girls

Our pilot, Margaret, was very experienced and skilled. She was a MASTER (mistress?) of reading the fine nuances of what she called micro weather. (Wind currents and directions to the rest of us.) My husband immediately told her that I’m also a pilot (fixed wing) so she explained many things to us.

She and her crew of two had a very efficient and well-rehearsed process for setting everything up. My husband, Kevin, got to help them, while I took photos. After setting up the passenger basket and attaching it to the balloon “envelope,” it was time to inflate the balloon. They hauled out a big fan with its own generator to fill it up.

We drifted over tiny Griggs, Idaho, and didn’t even notice our smoky view. Everything about the experience was mesmerizing!

At one point we were moving across corn fields at a pretty good clip. Yeehaw!

Margaret was actually a little worried about having a high speed landing and told us how to crouch and where to hold on in case this happened! But, she was SO GOOD at reading the wind and making use of the natural wind breaks in our surroundings that she got us slowed down to a complete hover for landing. Then, we just gently plopped down. Amazing!

Of course, there was quite a procedure to getting everything put away and Kevin, again, helped with this.

The balloon envelope alone weighs 300 pounds. After bagging it up we were invited to sit on this 300 pound “bean bag” chair for a photo op.

We finished off our adventure with a toast of champagne and orange juice, a ballooning tradition.

Elevated Ballooning Crew

This was, by far, the highlight of our trip and I highly recommend it!

Ellen Lindner