Purely by chance we came across the Page Balloon Regatta and on Friday 6th November 2009 we were lucky enough to be picked as volunteer crew for Kaleidoscope.
From unpacking the “envelope” and laying it out on the ground.
Initial inflation with a large fan.
Followed by heating the air with huge flames blasting from the liquid propane burners.
Elaine in the basket with Pilot George, local news reporter Mary and Georges wife Aggie standing alongside.
We were please to be able to help with the Saturday night “Glow” event, a real crowd puller.
Balloons over the Colorado River canyon downstream fro the Lake Powell Dam.
The business end. The burner heats the air to over 80 deg C providing the lift
We enjoyed being members of the chase team trying to get into position for the landing.
Once on the ground the balloon has to be deflated.
Carefully packed into the carry sack…..
……..which is compacted by a few heavy weights ready for loading into the trailer…….
…..and lastly the tarpaulins are rolled ready for next time.
Thanks to George and Aggie who own the balloon, Jim and Sandy their long term crew members, our new friends Lawrie and Monica who joined the team on day 2 and the sponsors who gave us a very memorable weekend.
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