Up Up and Almost Away

Well, it wasn’t quite a balloon ride, but I did get an off-the-ground experience in a hot air balloon.

(I should finish that sentence with punctuation reflective of my emotion in the moment. Let me add on: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

We (the City) received a new hot air balloon earlier this year. Although she’d been tested and flown before we received her, it was still important for us to inflate her and put her through her paces. After all, who doesn’t need a reason to celebrate spring with a hot air balloon?

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This gorgeous gal is named Excellence (natch!). She’s a bit fitter and trimmer than our previous balloon – she’s designed for racing.

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I was thrilled to be asked if I wanted to go on a mini-float. YES I WANT TO GO ON A MINI-FLOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I don’t know what I was telling my ground peeps, but I’m quite certain it related to how excited and thrilled and excited and happy and excited and…well, you get the point.

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Look up while you’re in a balloon. Sooooooo cool!

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But also look down while you’re in a balloon. Even cooler!

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Excellence’s pilot is super nice. After all, he endured spending time with a very-excited me.

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And he also showed me how to take the most epic hot air balloon selfie. I can’t wait to go on a for real ride with him!!

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