Hello My Lovelies,
I’m so excited to share with you my most recent adventure. Well, it was another birthday present to myself, but also one that I had on my bucket list for quite sometime. I flew on a hot air balloon!
I want to say that I was very excited when I came across Portland Rose Balloons which I read are currently the only company in Oregon who flies these hot air balloons. You can imagine how ecstatic I was knowing that I’d never have to travel all the way to California or Turkey to hop on one of these babies.
Originally, I had it scheduled for the morning of my birthday. But there was a cancellation and it had to be moved as there has to be a minimum of four people in the basket. It actually worked out perfectly because I got to sleep in on the day of my birthday.
I literally woke up at 330am as I had to arrive to the launch site by 515am. We were told to arrive 30 minutes before launch in order to fill our paperwork, liability waiver, and to assist the crew with anything they might need.
One never realizes how huge these hot air balloons are until they are expanded and laid flat on the ground. We all had the opportunity to help out with extending the balloon as it definitely took a good group of people to make this happen. A crew of three folks wouldn’t have been enough.
This plane looked absolutely small in comparison to the half inflated balloon. I’m still amazed at the fact that the crew has to inflate and deflate these massive balloons 6-7 days a week! Plus, kudos to starting the process around 5-6am. The not-so-morning person in me feels exhausted at the thought.
It took a couple of photos, but finally we were able to get one good group shot before the launch. I can’t tell you exactly everything that I felt, I just knew that I wanted to be up in the air already and see the most spectacular view. Did I feel nervous or scared? Absolutely not.
We weren’t the only balloon up in the air. The wonderful thing is that up ahead in the distance, we were also able to view other balloons. The things we miss out when we get so focused on what goes around us on land that we tend to forget to look up.
There really is no place like home. I can’t get enough of this greenery. I’m probably one of the very few people who actually enjoys the rain. I think it makes everything look more intense and dramatic.
This was an absolute surreal moment. The basket may look small, but I was amazed at the number of people it will able to hold. I would say there were about 12 of us. I honestly would not mind having a hot air balloon as my main transportation. It’s the only way to truly appreciate the beautiful views and the countryside.
There were many times where we’d pass over lakes or ponds and it was amazing to see the reflection of the hot air balloon. I honestly could enjoy these views on a daily basis. So breathtaking and very relaxing.
Oregon is truly a beautiful place. I’ve had friends who have stated they view Oregon as paradise since it’s always green. We may complain about the rain, but without it we wouldn’t have this beauty around us. I didn’t know whether I was in Oregon or somewhere on the countrysides of England. I’ve never been, but I can only imagine.
Believe it or not, there is a vehicle that followed us during the duration of our flight and who were constantly informed of our current location. You’d think they have a designated location to land, but on the contrary, they eye ball it depending which location has the most space. Before we could land, the crew in the vehicle had to obtain permission from the property owner. Some people don’t like the idea of a hot air balloon landing on their property, so if the crew didn’t receive permission or no one was home, then we had to keep on floating until we’d find another possible landing site.
After we landed, we all chipped in to pack the balloon away and the crew drove all of us back to the launch site. At the site, we were given champagne/mimosas, heard a very interesting story and made a toast.
I felt extremely tired afterwards and all I wanted to do was sleep for the rest of the day. However, it was absolutely worth it. I’d wake up early again to enjoy an amazing adventure like this one. I’m actually wanting to do this again, but in the Fall. I’m intrigued to see all of the beautiful colors of the leaves. I’m told weather tends to be tricky and they never launch if weather conditions bad. But, it wouldn’t hurt to try and maybe I’ll get lucky to show you another side of Oregon.
Being up there gave me so much peace. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to break away every once in a while and just let go. Let go of all the chaos and clutter that takes over ones mind. I’m not one to be fearful of heights, but if you are, I read that one of the best ways to get over your fear is by flying on a hot air balloon!
Let me know what you currently have on your bucket list. This life is meant to be lived to the fullest and I’m looking forward to many more breathtaking and unforgettable adventures. It’s all about the experiences and capturing every moment.
Much Love,
~ Erika
