All things ballooning

February 2009 Blog Posts (14)

Retired 54K needed

I am looking for a retired (unairworthy) 54K. My intent is to inflate it for demonstrations at summer camps. Obviously it needs to be strong enough to be handled by kids and tight enough to stand up for a few minutes. Let me know what you might have. Thanks.

Added by Blair Beard on February 28, 2009 at 9:15am — No Comments

Decided not to get back into flying

It took me awhile but I've decided I won't be replacing my balloon. It just cost to much right now to start from scratch. Especially with the economy right now, maybe the timing is good. The only thing is I haven't found the next "thing" that will replace ballooning. I got a lot of personal satisfaction from flying and all that it entailed that I just haven't found with anything else. I got off the reflector because it just made it harder to realize I wasn't going to get back in. I've only… Continue

Added by Karen Gould on February 27, 2009 at 3:20am — 4 Comments

Why won't Michael Marx add me as a friend?

?????

Added by Lance Terry on February 23, 2009 at 2:54pm — 4 Comments

No Bull

“Why did we land here?”

“We were low on fuel.”

It looked like a great landing spot then came that darned old bull. He has great big muscles, and he snorted and he slobbered. We had landed in his cow rink and this is when he really got bothered.

“Look you big black Angus, you would make a good meal”

Then as if he knew what Barry had said, he bolted toward us from the other field. He may have been alone in his quest to kill, but to us it sounded like… Continue

Added by Susan Brothers on February 21, 2009 at 1:37am — No Comments

Great Memories

I was going through some things today in the closet and ran across a box marked Hot Air Ballooning. Inside I found newspaper clippings, parking passes, crew and pilot passes, newspaper articles, and photos; all by-gone-days and memories of my many years in ballooning. I was humored when I ran across a few newspaper clippings of a much younger, thinner me. One was me in my wedding dress flying on my wedding day.

Funny, it doesn't seem like that many years ago when I was ballooning… Continue

Added by Susan Brothers on February 20, 2009 at 5:17pm — No Comments

Here's a tip on how to make a small fortune in ballooning: Start with a large one.

Here's a tip on how to make a small fortune in ballooning: Start with a large one. Continue

Added by james henry on February 20, 2009 at 1:33pm — 2 Comments

balloon summer camp

It is time for teens to start thinking about attending the USA summer camps. This year there are 2 camps, one in Texas July 12-16) and one in Michigan (July 19-23). Go to the camp website at www.bfacamp.com for more info and forms. We also need volunteers for camp so feel free to contact me if you would like to spend a week with enthusiastic teens:)

Added by shelley caraway on February 20, 2009 at 7:56am — No Comments

Energizer Hot Hare schedule 2009

Energizer Hot Air Tour 2009

4/22-26 Kentucky Derby Louisville, KY

4/30-5/3 Indy 500 Indianapolis, IN

5/7-10 OFF

5/13-16 NW Georgia Balloonfest Menlo, GA

5/21-25 Chagrin Balloonfest Chagrin Falls, OH

5/28-5/31 Sunrise Balloons Tuscaloosa, AL

6/4-7 Balloons Over Bend Bend, OR

6/11-14 Sonoma Ball. Classic Windsor, CA

6/18-21 Summer Balloon Classic - Waxahachie, TX

6/25-28

7/2-5 Eyes to the Skies Lisle, IL

7/9-12 Wausau,… Continue

Added by Glo Kehoe on February 19, 2009 at 10:00am — 24 Comments

Light, Camera Action! - Photographing Balloon Events

Question: What do you see more of at ballooning events than balloons or balloonists?

Answer: Cameras!

In that spirit, I've compiled a one-hour workshop to help people take better photos at balloon events. Its targeted to the beginning or intermediate snap-shooter or photographer using everything from a cell phone camera to a DSLR. I'm offering to conduct this workshop at your club meeting, flight event or other activity where balloon enthusiasts… Continue

Added by Paul D deBerjeois on February 17, 2009 at 12:21pm — 1 Comment

New Balloon Video

New balloon video coming out from me soon! i just got some awesome video editing software so i am working hard
to bring everyone a new video. (if anyone cares)

Added by Michael Toulson on February 11, 2009 at 9:21pm — 12 Comments

Flying the Cambridge Valley During Ice Breaker 2009

Our balloon and team were invited to participate in the Annual Ice Breaker Festival which takes place the first couple weeks in February in a couple of small eastern Washington County hamlets in New York. The event is co sponsored by the Rice Mansion B&B in Cambridge and they put together the ballooning part of the Festival as well as put on a very nice after flight breakfast for the balloon crews.

This was our first year to be a part of the flying aspect as we crewed for a team 2… Continue

Added by Mike Hernandez on February 9, 2009 at 6:54am — 2 Comments

Aunty Monkey Redesign

You might have noticed Aunty Monkey has gone green. I personally got sick of the blue site, so I hope you like the new "fresher" look.

Added by Andrew Robertson on February 7, 2009 at 4:45pm — 12 Comments

I need your support :)

Dear Friends and Family,

I think I've gone crazy but it's for a great cause!

I am participating in the Nautica South Beach Triathlon on April 5, 2009. The most rewarding challenge that I invite you to join is raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the world's premier pediatric cancer research center. The hospital's mission is to find cures and save the lives of countless children battling cancer and other catastrophic illnesses.

Please join me… Continue

Added by Terry Konash on February 5, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

2008 Aunty Monkey Photo Competition Winners

All the votes have been tallied and the results are in. For those who are new or for anyone with short term memory loss, we had 2 categories; Best Balloon Photo and Best People Photo. We had a panel who selected a short list and then it was up to the members to vote for the winners. So here they are...