July 28…. Up, up and awaaay…

4am.

It’s dark. It’s quiet. It’s still kinda cool but it’ll be hot later. There’s almost no cars on the highway. Susy and I tore ourselves from the bed and headed out, we had to be there by 5:30 or we might be left behind.

We drove to the airport and there was no one in sight. Called the number and they said “Oh, you’re supposed to be over here”. We had 14 minutes to make a 19 minute drive. No worries, Mike can do it. 😳

Susy and I took a sunrise hot air balloon trip today. Fantastic!

We launched right next to a 20 acre field of sunflowers. Beautiful, giant yellow blooms. Catching the rays of the sun as it comes up over the distant Mt Hood.

A shared flight, not a MUCH more expensive private flight, we were in a basket with 10 other people plus a pilot. Portland Rose Balloons. Chris the pilot was an artist! We went up to about 4000 feet, drifted over four miles from our starting point, and then he played games with the wind, going up and down, catching the competing air currents, dodging a few trees here and there, and we landed in a field just across the street from where we started. Awesome.

A hot air balloon ride has been on Susy’s bucket list since I’ve known her. Finally made it. She wants to try base jumping next. Uhhh, nope. Or rather, you have fun dear, I’ll stand down here and watch. 😳. Right now, it’s time for a nap.