Balloon Hunt!

Yesterday on our way home from the Terryville Country Fair , I lamented to my son, Richard, that we probably missed the 2015 Plainville Fire Company Hot Air Balloon Festival. Now, he has mixed feelings about hot air balloons since we attended the NW CT Balloon Festival and Craft Fair in Goshen, CT in (I think) 2003. That was real neat because we saw a lot of unusual shapes such as a huge American flag, and a space shuttle. But what he would like to forget probably is that we got up at 5 a.m. to drive an hour to see them take off at 6 a.m. (Did we do that?)

In 2012 we spent the day at the Plainville Hot Air Balloon Fest and Car Show and returned that evening to watch take off at 6 p.m. but all we got to see was a couple of balloons filled up, with one tethered. I think one might have lifted off.

So as we were driving home yesterday, we decided to swing by the park in Plainville to see if anything was going on. And it sure was. We got stuck in a tremendous traffic jam. Thank God for A/C.

We were almost near the park by 6 p.m. when we spotted several balloons in the air, having just lifted off. Richard spotted one that seemed to have difficulty gaining altitude and "suggested" that we try to follow it instead of battling the crowds at the park, etc. And so we did.

Several times we thought it was about to land (or crash). Finally, it actually did touch down in the parking lot of an abandoned factory. But then, as we were turning around and trying to decide what to do, it took off again!

Just about ready to land (first time) behind the factory in background.

As we resumed our hunt, Richard noticed a large pickup truck with a magnetic sign identifying it as a hot air balloon support vehicle. And then we realized that the SUV following us was also an official balloon chase vehicle. So we tried to keep them in sight.

When it seemed as though the balloon had disappeared behind the trees in front of us into a lake, we lost sight of the chase vehicles and the balloon. When we found a nearby adjacent road, the balloon had regained lift and was actually soaring pretty well. So we headed home (with our eyes open).

As we got to the top of a ridge, we again spotted the balloon as it appeared to be descending (again). And then we saw the chase vehicles again and we rejoined the pursuit!

Touchdown! A safe landing!

Unfortunately, we didn't actually see the balloon land but we encountered it shortly after it touched down in a cul-de-sac in a residential neighborhood. Boy, were those home owners surprised!

Me, Richard, and Hot Air Balloon

Everyone was out on their front lawn staring in amazement at the visitors from the sky. We learned that there were four passengers (two couples). When it first landed in the factory parking lot, one of the men had to jump out and give the basket a push (to get them in the right direction apparently and away from the trees and wires).

Quickly, as the sun was setting (in the background), everyone helped to pack up the balloon. Even we were enlisted. Each of us hoisted a section of the rolled up balloon on our shoulders and marched over to the truck and stuffed it in a "small" bag.

Starting to deflate the balloon.

Disassembly

Roll up the balloon.

Stuffing the balloon in its bag.

And so it was surprisingly quickly over. Though we missed seeing the inflation and take off, we ended up witnessing a much more exciting chase and safe conclusion and actually became (a small) part of the flight.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Links:

http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2015/08/at-terryville-country-fair.html
http://www.plainvillefireco.com/Balloon_Festival.html

Written Sunday August 30, 2015.