I can’t remember at what point in my life I became fascinated with them. The earliest memory was the hot air balloon on the cover of the Jules Verne novel ”Around the World in 80 Days”. Maybe it was then. I can’t say as I have read the novel, but I do remember a cartoon with the same title.
As a kid, I would get so excited, yet also feel at peace, when I would see the colorful patterns of the balloons gracefully move across the sky with the occasional “whooshing” sound.
Early in our marriage, hubs and I would attend a local Hot Air Balloon festival and yes, I always had my camera with me (I went prepared with several rolls of film). We would get up before dawn each day, watch them launch, and follow one in the car (as best as we could) to see where they would land. Now, we are not so much inclined to follow as we are to happily pull the car over and watch them do their dance with the trees and sky.
Early Sunday morning I heard the familiar “whooshing” sound as opened the door to let Wally out. While still in my night clothes (advantages of living in the country) I stepped out onto our deck to see a balloon above our yard. It was close enough where we exchanged our “good morning” greetings.
One day, maybe this year, I will be the passenger in that basket with my camera in hand to take pictures from that vantage point. Until then, I will happily take pictures from the ground.
Have a beautiful day.
With Love, Blessings and Peace,
