A Life Outside of the Box
Pueblo Balloon Company, Taos NM
2009 OCTOBER 13
by Stacie tags: Ballooning, New Mexico, Pueblo Balloon Company, Taosby Stacie
When we realized that the Balloon Festival was just down the street in Albuquerque during the week that Shayneś mom would be here, we thought we would take a trip over to see what the excitement was. However, after talking to some folks in the know, we decided to forego that trip since we had our dog, and the festival would not allow dogs near the balloons. After thinking about it some more, we decided to participate in an actual flight, without traffic or hotel issues, right here in Taos.
It was the right decision!
Last Sunday, the three of us got up at 5 am so we could be at Balloon Central here in Taos by 6:30 am. We were going on a balloon ride with Pueblo Balloon Company over the Rio Grande Gorge. I have to be honest here. I was a little nervous about flying in a hot air balloon. I do not like to fly in airplanes or traverse over high places, but I decided to take one for the team and overcome my fear. I am so glad that I did. The experience was phenomenal, and the people that run the company are a blast.
One important thing to remember about ballooning in the early morning is the fact that there are no bathrooms in a basket. So, it is best not to eat or drink ANYTHING before the trip. This is another reason for my initial fear about going up in a balloon. I had gallbladder removal surgery in 2001. Up until about a year ago, I had major issues in the bathroom department since without a gallbladder I had a severe problem with an excess of bile running through my gut. Through the miracles of drug called Welchol, I can now attempt to do activities that do not require a restroom within five minutes of me. But the old fear is still there and this was going to be a good test. Fortunately, the people that run the company are VERY down to earth, and there was no embarrassment about having to find a forlorn tree at the launch site in case of an emergency. A few of us needed to find a place to pee, and it was no big deal. Mother nature does seem to call when you are looking at a balloon inflating and realize you are going to be in a little basket floating over the earth for at least an hour with 7 other people. The basket really is standing room only! There is a bathroom at the building site, a bathroom at the gorge that they are willing to stop for and of course, there is a forlorn tree at the launch site too if you can squat. So, no problems there.
After we drove down and up a very remote state highway above the gorge, we were ready to help Ed and his chase crew set up the balloon. Shayne, Jo and I held the balloon open so that the big fans would inflate the balloon.
Me helping to hold balloon open..very cold job!
Shayne and his mom taking over the job for me...
As soon as the balloon is inflated, we all have to pile on the sides of the basket to hold her down while we each climb into it so it can stabilize. No turning back once you are in the basket! Ed, the pilot, is very professional and also down to earth too. A few of us had seen the television coverage of the balloon festival where several balloons crashed. Ed told us that they were almost certainly from pilot error, and that a lot of those balloon pilots at the festival do not have much experience landing a balloon near electrical lines, homes, roads and other impediments that most pilots try never to fly near. At the festival, all these things add up to a fairly scary mix of inexperienced flyers, mass hoards of people and lots of these impediments. I never once felt unsafe with Ed or the crew. They really know what they are doing and they do it with a lot of laughter, but they are deadly serious about safety.
We are flying before you know it! A Ballooner Eclipse on the ground..
As soon as we are all loaded in, we are in the air before you know it. It is very quiet and peaceful. There is no feeling of flight…just softness. It is truly hard to describe. I have always wanted to know what it must feel like to a bird to fly, and I think ballooning and hang gliding are the only two ways to get that sensation of effortlessness. It was warm too, in the basket. Ed had to fire a lot since there was no wind! We got into the gorge, but Ed was dissappointed that the wind was so calm that we could not descend all the way down and follow the gorge. We were thrilled none the less.
See how happy we are? And a little chapped from the day before on the train!
The rest of the trip was looking around and seeing the beautiful gorge and the Taos Valley. Since pictures are worth more then words, here is what my camera caught…
Climbing out of the gorge...
The Rio Grande Gorge
The city of Taos covered in wood smoke haze....(no wind!)
Land west of Taos and the Gorge
Ed Smith, our Pilot (Ladies, he is single!!!!)
Looking up...Up...UP!
Looking WAY DOWN!
Deflating!
Our flight buddies and crew!
After we deflated and packed up the balloon, we drove back to the Gorge where we had a our Champagne Toast…mimosaś overlooking the Gorge! What a great way to end the flight! We then walked across the bridge that spans the Gorge, and met the trucks on the other side. We loaded up and headed to Doc Martins in Taos for a wonderful brunch, and a chance to get to know our flight buddies and Pueblo Balloon Company better too…it was a fantastic trip, I can not recommend Pueblo high enough. You will have an unforgettable trip and meet some really great people.
