Doc's Hot Air Balloon Ride

If you were to ask my daddy what his one passion is (besides his family) he would say, "flying."  He was a pilot when I was a baby and has flown every type of aircraft you can imagine.  I say that in all seriousness!  All types of air crafts except...a hot air balloon!  Well, my sweet mom made that happen this past weekend.  Doc flew a hot air balloon!  He has now officially flown pretty much all there is to fly.  (with the exception of a space shuttle! Ha!)  We got up early on Sunday morning and headed out to watch our Doc!

  

Doc's Fans

Getting Ready!

Have you ever seen the inside of a hot air balloon?

Almost Full

Doc getting a boost from his son-in-law. 

He's so excited!

UP, UP, and AWAY!

 

FOLLOW THAT BALLOON!
Brad The Balloon Chaser!

 The Landing

Uh, Oh!
It's tipping!

Supposedly this landing is very normal!
Not in my book!

The pilot (Is that what you call a balloon flyer?) told us that there is always a champagne toast at the end of every balloon flight.  When hot air balloons were first invented, they would land in big crop fields owned by farmers.  These farmers worried that the people landing the balloons were coming to steal their crops.  In order to let the farmers know they were not thieves, they would lower down a bottle of champagne as a peace offering before landing.
Pretty cool, huh?

All smiles after toasting a successful flight!

Doc received a certificate making him an official Balloon Pilot!

He also logged the flight into Doc's flight book!

What a great memory, Doc!  

I am so glad we were there to see you make one of your dreams come true!