Hot Air Balloon Flight Record - 06-09Jul2006
Stoweflake Balloon Rally - 20th Annual

The weather forecast this year is much better than the last couple of years. The forecast is for clear sky's and calm winds through the Sunday AM flight. In some cases, the winds were so light we had to work hard or climb higher to just move into clear areas.

The event started one day earlier on Thursday. Balloons that arrived even earlier were able to fly Thursday morning. We flew our sponsors Thursday evening. Spent time near RT 100 but couldn't get off the pond. Finally went up the ridge and landed in a large field next to a nice driveway and yard. No one was home but we left the landowner certificate and champagne.

Friday morning there were only a few passengers booked so I took Don up and after drifting around the local area, we landed in our condo complex.

Friday evening we all had passengers booked. I took Tom and Mary. We didn't get far, and were stuck near the river for a long time. Finally climbed about 2000 to move off the river. Dropped into a small (very!) parking lot and carefully deflated.

Saturday morning we had a little fog north and south, so the launch was delayed until we were sure it was burning off. I took Lisa and Michael. Ended in a large yard off Moulton Ln where they were getting ready for a family get together later that day.

Saturday evening we tethered on the field while everyone else flew off.

Sunday morning was another beautiful day and I took Sara for a flight. Very similar track to Saturday morning with less zig-zag. We ended in another large yard uphill from Saturday's. We dropped over the tree line between the 2 yards and it was a very slow trip up hill after the 90 degree left turn. Two other balloons were down hill between the 2 homes.