Call It What You Want...

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to take a hot-air balloon ride with a friend's family. I was in first grade. Unfortunately, when the day came (the parents were going to pay because I had told them I was "financially embarrassed" at the time), the weather conditions were unfavorable, and I never did it. Later, my fear of heights overcame my curiosity, and I had never done it.

Until today. In a way.

Today was the employee preview day for the 1859 Balloon Voyage at the Prairie. The boys and I went, with the understanding that they would go play with Auntie Mel in the Conner Barn while I rode the balloon. At the last minute, though, Adam decided he wanted to ride too, so we got in line while Mark helped feed the chickens and the goat and other chores that Melissa "needed" help with.

Photo evidence is a little lacking as, er, I was a little too afraid to take my hand off the side of the gondola. And as I was holding Adam, who wanted cuddled.

This is the only photo I managed to take, so I'm hoping that Becky got a good one that she'll share with me. :) This was even before we took off.

So up we went, more than 300 feet in the air. I could see the Pyramids over on the west side of 465, I could see downtown Indy... I could see the quarry ... probably if I'd been more attentive I could've seen our neighborhood...

Then we came down, landing, and while I was nervous, it wasn't so bad. Probably had I not been holding Adam, I'd have been a little less nervous. It was quiet and still and very pretty, and I am very glad I did it. I'm sure Puppy (see him in the above picture?) is glad he got to go up, too.