Sunday, July 27, 2014

I Am So Grounded

You may remember the hot air balloon from Sevilla that made a one-day visit to our beach last year. If not, click here. It returned last week, but within an hour it just disappeared into thin air.

HEADING TO COFFEE AROUND 10:30 IN THE MORNING...
THE HOT AIR BALLOON WAS BACK FOR ITS ANNUAL VISIT. 
"MAYBE I'LL TRY IT THIS YEAR," I THOUGHT.
A PERFECT DAY FOR FLOATING.
(ALTHOUGH ALL THEY DO IS TAKE YOU UP A FEW METERS AND BACK DOWN AGAIN.) 
AN HOUR LATER, NO BALLOON.
I LOOKED IN THE SKY AND DIDN'T SPOT IT.
THEN I NOTICED THE BASKET STILL ON THE BEACH.
THEY TRIED FOR LIFT-OFF AND DISCOVERED A LEAK.

And that's my excuse for not going up this year...

25 comments:

  1. There have been some reports of ballon mishaps in the news recently. Best to enjoy the spectacle from the ground.

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  2. Good decision Mitchell! But spectacular photos!!

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    Replies
    1. Jim:
      Truth is, if I really did want to go up in a balloon, this wouldn't be the way to do it. You wait in line. You climb in. You go straight up several meters while tethered to the ground and, within a minute, you're back on the beach.

      Delete
  3. Going up in a Hot Air Balloon is on my bucket list - even with the risk I am going to do it someday. It might be closer to my 80 birthday than now (by then I will have gotten the courage up) though.

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    1. Cheapchick:
      I've been curious about it, but it's not a must-do for me. (But then I don't have a bucket list!)

      Delete
  4. I understand that it is a very LOUD experience, with the roaring sound of the flame used to fuel the inflation of the balloon. Cool that you were up for trying it, though!

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    1. Judy:
      I've been told the same thing. And there's always that remote chance of a crash and fireball.

      Delete
  5. I have always wanted to go up in one, even it was just to go up 100 feet while tethered to the ground. I had an opportunity at a small county fair many years ago, but hemmed and hawed because it struck me as pricey. By the time I made up my mind to go back and splurge, the window of opportunity had slammed shut. I think the problem was weather.

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    1. Damien:
      This would be your opportunity (if they hadn't had that leak). It's free!

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  6. I would be right there with you Mitchell! Since things like parachuting and parasailing are out for me, (they don't play well with movement disorders) going up in a hot air balloon is the next best thing!

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    1. Jacqueline:
      Maybe next summer, we can go up together?

      Delete
  7. Lovely photos, Mitchell. I have a secret dream of going up in a hot air balloon, but I think it will never happer!

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    1. Kristi:
      There sure are plenty of opportunities, but the regular balloon rides are pricey. It would be amazing though.

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  8. 'discovered a leak'! That would be a reason for never going up, for me.

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    1. Andrew:
      In the fourth photo, I think you can see where part of the bottom fabric was coming away from the balloon. I suppose if it were only a "slow" leak...

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  9. Oh, I just embiggened the first photo. I feel faint.

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    1. Andrew:
      I wondered if anyone would notice! You can't turn your head without seeing that around here.

      Delete
  10. If you've never ridden in a hot air balloon I highly recommend it. It's a fabulous experience.

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    1. Stephen:
      I've had mixed reports. Some people say there's nothing like it. Other's say, "I must have been out of my mind!" I still would like to do it.

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  11. I too wish someday to be in a hot air balloon.

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    1. Spo:
      I remember there being lots of opportunities in the desert areas.

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  12. They are pretty and I'll bet the views are great. I always wanted to try going up, but the older I get, the less inclined I am to actually do it.

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    1. Walt the Fourth:
      We'll see if I ever do it. So enticing... (except for another recent story about the hot air balloon that blew up).

      Delete
  13. Not meant to be, I guess!

    Some things are just made to be viewed and not jumped into it seems!

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