What a morning!

This morning at 5 am our set alarms went off and as we hadn't gotten a phone call to tell us otherwise, we headed out a meeting point at a parking lot 15 minute drive away. There we met up with the staff and followed their truck to the park where it all would start.

Once we got there they wasted no time but started unloading and unpacking in which we were asked to help by handling some strings and holding on the tarp while they started to fan air and fill the big balloon that would be our ride. After few minutes the balloon had enough air that the could start filling it with hot air by using the fire shooting jets. Holding on to the tarp while they used the giant flame thrower was bit scary but soon enough the balloon was standing upright. So wasting no time, we climbed in to the tiny basket (not a top gymnastic performance from me) that could hold 3 people just comfortably enough.

Ballooning is best served at sunrise or sunset

I am not a big fan of heights but the ascent was really smooth so I was only mildly nervous. Up up and away we went. After a while I was relaxed enough to look around a bit more. It was awesome and so surreal. All the houses looked like miniature model houses. Then the sun started to rise from behind the mountains, which was a fantastic view. Oh my.

After that we did a mock up landing to get a feel what to expect at the final landing. We the rose up again and crossed some major freeway not too high up from the cars and continued towards Rio Grande where we flew only maybe a half a meter from the river surface, which was scary but absolutely fun as well.

The rest of the journey we flew quite high up and you could see for kilometers all around. Then we very smoothly landed at near to a church parking lot and got to climb off the basket (again, no athletic masterpiece). Also we needed to help pack up the balloon again which was a bit of hard work. Then we were driven back to the launch site and had some champagne and cinnamnon rolls. We also received our flight certificates and other freebies.

As everthing was over at 8:30, we headed out for breakfast at what must be the best local breakfast restaurant, Weck's. I had cinnamon raisin french toast which was huge portion served with butter and maple syrup. And beverages got free refills all the time. If I ever leave my current profession, I am gonna open somethig like Weck's in Finland. A brilliant concept with super delicious food.