Red,White & Blue Balloon Festival

[1gary]

So I got to the park too late to see the launch.I also bought some cheap batteries to power the camera which I got three shots off them and then the cheap batteries died.Here is a shot of some of the balloons coming out of the gorge and some spotting a possible landing site.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon329-1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon330-1.jpg

This is the launch site:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon336-1.jpg

Across from the launch site is only one of many views of the gorge:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon337-1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon338-1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon339-1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon340-1.jpg

The local land owners know about the balloon fest.It's the ballooner's and chase crews responsible to maintain good relations with the local people.The ballooners pick a safe landing site with the air current being the primary factor in the end result.

[http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon331-1.jpg

The burners use propane for fuel.Skip's balloon uses two 10 gallon tanks.Which he said depending on the weather conditions he can fly just over 2 hrs.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon334-1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon332-1.jpg


http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon333-1.jpg

Here is Skip and the chase Safari which has a Mustang R & P that ends the replacement of idler arms which Astro's/Safari's are know for and a custom mounted 12 bolt rear end.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...lloon335-1.jpg