So they said we were lucky that our pickup time was 6:20 am this time of year because in the summer it is 4:30 am! We were headed for a hot air balloon ride over the red rocks of Sedona (hot air was a bad choice of words since it was 16 degrees). My "Florida self" struggled into top, turtleneck, cashmere sweater, sweatshirt, jacket, scarf, long johns, jeans, wool socks, scarf, hat and gloves and waddled out to the pickup van headed to the balloon inflation site. Upon arrival the driver pointed out our bathroom facilities--leafless trees for the women
and leaf covered trees for the guys (Krista and Cindy would have croaked ). Balloon inflation was awesome then Jim and I and 14 of our closest friends and the pilot hopped (so not hopped---struggled into the basket with the help of only one of the crew pushing my bottom over the edge) aboard. Turns out Jim Moffett was busy photographing my progress. Ascent and the hour
long ride were effortless and took us up 2500 feet and over seven miles. What an amazing view of one of the most beautiful areas in the US. Photos just do not do it justice, but you know I tried my darndest. Even the view out our hotel window is fabulous.
The chase vehicles followed our progress with walkie talkies and were waiting as we gently touched down wiping out only one thin fence post as the cattle watched nearby. They actually laid the balloon down on the rural road to repack it. Next was a mimosa and muffin brunch on the top of a bluff. Next was a nap since I had been awake since about 2 am wondering just how cold 20 degrees would be and just how hard could a balloon landing be??? Turns out we lived through it all (and did not fall out of the basket as Jess theorized).
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