How to get a free balloon ride

Once upon a time, I had a friend who had a husband and they knew a couple who had a balloon.

Before this, I had never thought about how balloons get where they are going and get back home.

What I learned was that the balloon gets folded up into a bag and the balloon, the basket and the fans used to inflate the balloon need to be moved around on a truck.

While the balloon is in the air, there is a crew that drives around, following the balloon, so that when it lands, they can gather it up and stuff it back into the bag.

For a brief time, I became part of the crew.

Our balloon with many others…

We would meet at ridiculously early times in places that were usually quite a distance from home. As the sun came up, we would be holding ropes as the balloon inflated.

If the conditions were right, the pilot would take a couple of passengers and fly off. We would get in a truck and follow, hoping the pilot would land in a place that was fairly accessible and had enough room to stretch out the balloon. By mid-morning, our work would be done.

It was an odd and exhilarating experience. The crew was wonderful to be with – you have to have a sense of humor when you are outside in the early hours, in the cold and spending a lot of time waiting. It’s safe to say most people would rather be warm in bed.

Nobody said anything about actually riding in the balloon.

Then it was time for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Hundreds of balloons in the air, all at the same time. It was amazing.

And that was when I got my free balloon ride.

So all you have to do to get a free balloon ride is be part a crew for a few months, get up really early, wait around in the cold, hold some ropes and fold up the balloon after every flight, and be there when they offer you the ride.

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