Thursday, June 2, 2011

Full of Hot Air

While I am terrified of heights (it's not so much the being up high as the prospect of falling), I find hot air balloons to be wonderful and charming and lucky me, there was a balloon festival over the weekend! I thought I would share, lest you all think my entire weekend was spent being harvested for my blood.

I love the vibrant colors and the anticipation that lingers in the air as the crowd watches the balloons inflate and waits for one of them to break free from the Earth.



Gracefully, almost lazily, the first balloon will head towards the open sky. A second and third follow suit while the rest of the group continue to inflate, waiting to join their fellows as they climb towards the setting sun.



In its anticipation, one of the balloons tried to get away without its riders!


They managed to catch it and climb into their basket, before joining the other brightly striped balloons in the blue (and hazy!) evening sky.



Up and away they went, over the trees and beyond the hill, floating into the descending dusk. We watched until the very last, a purple monster of some sort had made his way into the sky and out of our sights over the range.



I wonder what it is about balloons that inspires such giddiness and joy within myself and so many others?
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15 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 2, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Because it's cool, fool.
    Now put your pennies together and save and come and see oh mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm TKIABF 800 of those suckers in the sky at one time. Talk about a tummy tickler. And btw, the purple people eater is the name of the purple one and it's one of our favs. The Kodak International Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Saturday October 1 thru Sunday October 9. It is awe inspiring even after 40 years of the beauties in the air.
    The Olde Bagg

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  2. Kat_RNJune 2, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    I love to watch them, but I don't think I could go up in one. Nice photos, thanks for sharing.
    Kat

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  3. Teresa aka TessJune 2, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Wow, those were awesome pics. Thanks so much for sharing. I want to ride in that "purple monster of sorts". LOL!

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  4. AlphaBetsyJune 2, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    That's beautiful!! I would love to go up in a hot air balloon. I am also afraid of heights, but I think I can get past it to go up in a big colorful monster balloon.

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  5. Robin LarkspurJune 3, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    Beautiful photos! A sight indeed, to spy those colorful floating sky toys.

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  6. AnonymousJune 3, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    They are beautiful photos indeed, and I love the purple monster! However, I am extremely terrified of flying so I had a minor panic attack when watching them flying.

    Excuse me while I got pop a xanax.

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  7. Rebekka SealeJune 3, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Yikes...I am desperately afraid of heights, but this is so beautiful!!!

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  8. SaraJune 4, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    I had the chance to go up in one when I was little. I was terrified and ran away screaming. HOw I wish I had gone on it now. I was only about 5 years old at the time and the noise of it scared me silly. I would love the chance now. Hugs Sara

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  9. WendyJune 4, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    What a wonderful airy journey with you, Danni...I always immediately think of "Wizard of Oz" and the magickal balloon that flew over everyone, buffeted by the unpredictable winds, never knowing where you would land...a lot like live, isn't it?

    I was really, really blessed to gone up in a gorgeous balloon on my honeymoon in Africa...It was amazing, soaring over the land, seeing all the animals running around. It reminded me of one of my favorite movies, "Out of Africa" until we had to land...We had to land by crashing against a termite hill! Now,that was horrible...but worth the ride.

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  10. RueJune 5, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    I LOVE the purple one! Too much fun. I'm afraid of heights too, but would force myself if ever offered a ride in one of these.

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  11. AnonymousJune 5, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    These are gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely photos. So colorful and happy.

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  12. CeliaJune 5, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    I would love to go up in a hot air balloon! Beautiful pictures! I am scared of heights too....but my fear is more about getting down and falling....it's weird....but I can't walk up the kind of stairs that are open in the back. I've seen them in the air other places but never around here. If I ever get the chance I will definitely do it! Danni....I am also checking out the pagan art journaling you suggested....looks like a great idea to me....I'm gonna give it a try...thanks for the tip!

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  13. Riverton WitchJune 7, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    wow how fun looking!

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  14. Magaly GuerreroJune 7, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    I want to ride the purple monster! I've dreamed of hot air balloons since the first time I read The Wizard of Oz. I need to do it soon...

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  15. RóisínJune 8, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    Amazing photos my friend! Just wonderful. Looks like you had a great day. Dunno if I'd want to go up in one though. I'm a bit afraid of heights myself, though it's weird. I get vertigo, but only up to a certain distance. Once I get really high it goes away! Like if I was on a really high cliff or something, it wouldn't bother me. But I'd freeze and come over all dizzy on a high garden wall. So maybe if I kept my eyes closed until I was in the sky I'd be ok.

    Anyway, great post Danni! Hope you are well and are having a lovely day :)

    Roisin x

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