Hot Air Balloon Flight Record - 12-14Jul2013
Nathan&Morgan, Chris&Todd, Jeanne&Daniella, Carlos&Jeff

The weather leading up to the festival has been wet for weeks. At the last minute, the forecast became calm and dry for the weekend. Hurray!

Fri PM the winds were from the north so it looks like we are headed down RT 100. Gentle drift south across Stoweflake and up Cady Hill with a good view of Stowe Center. Heading down the hill toward RT 100 we were north of the blue silos, but turned SSW at the bottom of the hill to end at the campground with several other balloons.

Sat AM the upper level winds were heading NE into the valley. We started out low, heading SW a bit before climbing to turn out across the golf course. Stayed low enough that we didn't get close to Stagecoach Rd until we got to Tansy Hill Rd (I think Jim Ellis landed up there when I was crewing). Continued further NE to Moulton Ln where we landed at a familiar yard. A canopy was set up again for the family reunion on Sunday. The homeowner had been sitting on the porch waiting for someone to land when we finally arrived.

Sat PM the winds were more NNE into the hills, but forecast said upper level was from the W to push us out into the valley (and forecasts are never wrong!). A couple of balloons finally launched and eventually showed that there was a slow turn to the E, and the surface turned more NE also. At the last minute we and everyone else decided to go. Most went high and ended near the Morrisville Airport. We stayed low and paralleled Stagecoach about 1 mile west. Tried a couple of spots but didn't see a clear path in so we continued on to Lyle McKee Rd where we dropped into a field just after crossing. Walked the balloon to the house where no one was home (or responded) and tucked the balloon up against the trees on an access drive into the field before deflating (NO driving on the soft wet fields!).

Sun AM was overcast but light winds heading NE again. There was also a chance of scattered sprinkles. We initially played low over the field and adjacent driving range before climbing to cross the golf course and head toward the old polo fields. It took some time and there were several other balloons also trying to finally get into the NE corner so we could drop, turn SW and land near the parking lot. Walked the balloon into the parking lot and deflated on the tarps.