Community Chat

[Carolina925]

I've never had the chance but would love to try it! I did go skydiving once (I'm a scaredy cat and don't even like going up a ladder!) As in seeing your surroundings in a boat, it's amazing to see the earth from up in the sky. I say go for it. Sure, there are risks but everything's a risk these days. I have to say that when I first jumped from the plane, I felt like I'd made a BIG mistake. My big mistake would've been not going. Good luck with your decision; I hope you try it and love it!

[bells4me]

Not a chance. I can't even get on a ladder.  We used to live close to a hot air balloon & skydiving airport.  We enjoyed watching them take flight from the ground.

[luvmyteddy4]

Many decades ago when I worked for Re/Max and they had their own hot air balloon.

It was free for me but I think at the time it was 200.00

I wouldn't do it now but I was probably 35 at the time.

[just bee]

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@bells4me wrote:

Not a chance. I can't even get on a ladder.  We used to live close to a hot air balloon & skydiving airport.  We enjoyed watching them take flight from the ground.

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@bells4me 

Fear of heights?  I had to drop my college Lighting class because I couldn't get on the ladder to hang stage lights.

Yet I've been able to ride in a balloon with no sensation of height.  It's weird.

I definitely recommend it, but I admit I'm biased.

[just bee]

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@catlover7777 wrote:

Has anyone ever taken a hot air balloon ride?

I'm thinking of taking one but I can't stand for that long.

How much did you pay?

Was it awesome?

Please tell me about it.

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@catlover7777 

I've been fascinated by hot air balloons ever since I watched The Wizard of Oz.

I don't even know if I was fully aware of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta when we moved here 30 years ago.

We were fortunate to have a coworker who was a pilot and we volunteered to crew.  Now that was fun.

As I posted previously, I've flown and experienced no sensation of height.  And heights are a real problem for me.

I recommend visiting the Rainbow Ryders website (rainbowryders dot com).  Lots of good information about different flights and cost ($169 -- $209, but prices may vary).

Standing may be a concern and I imagine you can discuss that with the pilot/company you choose.

Awesome?  Oh, definitely.

[SilleeMee]

Years ago I was a member of a hot air balloon ground crew. I've been up several times. Except for the blast of the flame, it's very peaceful up there. Everything looks so small from above. It's a very surreal and unforgettable experience I'll never forget, especially the time when the pilot had to land in a field where there was an angry bovine bull and the bull was not happy to see us at all...he was ramming the gondola! I was scared out of my mind but we managed to get up and out just over the fence in time...whew!

[patbz]

About 25 years ago DH and I worked in headquarters building at China Lake, where Navy Balloon Team was then stationed.  He got the opportunity to go up one afternoon and swears he tried to phone me so I could go up as well. He was up for over an hour and I've never let him forget that he didn't reach me in time to also go.

[JudyL]

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@World Traveler wrote:

I have taken a couple of hot air balloon rides and loved it. It was exhilarating!

Both times were in Africa. Drifting over a herd of elephants or other wild life was pretty awesome at the crack of dawn.

Had to sign a waiver, was weighed (to make sure the total weight of all passengers didn't exceed a certain amount), and then instructed how to position ourselves when we land.

I believe I paid around $250, but am not sure; it was a few years ago.

The entire ride was around one hour. Everyone was asked to help spread out the balloon as it was being filled with hot air; and we also helped after landing to gather up the balloon to put it and the basket we stood in onto a trailer.

I love adventures, so I would do it again! Go for it! Skydiving is fun too.

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@World Traveler 

 Ahhhh, I bet I know where you were and with what travel company you were with.  LOL  Was going to do a hot air balloon ride on my trip to Africa (probably on the same trip you took) too, then Covid hit and didn't go.  

[Lucky Charm]

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@just bee wrote:

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@catlover7777 wrote:

Has anyone ever taken a hot air balloon ride?

I'm thinking of taking one but I can't stand for that long.

How much did you pay?

Was it awesome?

Please tell me about it.

---

@catlover7777 

I've been fascinated by hot air balloons ever since I watched The Wizard of Oz.

I don't even know if I was fully aware of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta when we moved here 30 years ago.

We were fortunate to have a coworker who was a pilot and we volunteered to crew.  Now that was fun.

As I posted previously, I've flown and experienced no sensation of height.  And heights are a real problem for me.

I recommend visiting the Rainbow Ryders website (rainbowryders dot com).  Lots of good information about different flights and cost ($169 -- $209, but prices may vary).

Standing may be a concern and I imagine you can discuss that with the pilot/company you choose.

Awesome?  Oh, definitely.

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I just knew I'd find you here! @just bee 

[monicakm]

@catlover7777 

I have not but it's something I would love to do someday. I hope you get to go!