There are many types of ‘hot air’ in Texas as we have determined from our stay here this time. You are well aware that Texans are a proud bunch when it comes to their heritage and culture. You probably have experienced it yourself if not a native Texan when you come across someone spouting ‘facts’ that prove everything is ‘bigger and better’ in Texas. Of course, a Texan (myself included) will tell you this is not braggadocio, it is merely the facts. That’s right, ‘just the facts Ma’am.'
But boasting about state pride is not the only ‘hot air’ in Texas or from Texans. There is much ‘hot air’ from spinning yarns or telling tall tales. This is another favorite (pronounced fave—O—riiiiiite) pastime of true Texas folk. As many of you will attest, yours truly enjoys this avocation as much as the next feller. However, many of you will recognize that even in my tall tales there is a strong element of truth and a little bit of embellishment. Some would say it is exaggeration or downright unbelievable the things included in some of my stories but that is certainly not the case. Okay, okay maybe a bit of enhancement here and there to make things more interesting but certainly no dishonesty.
But that is enough about me and my ‘hot air.’ I want to relate another grand adventure to you about some ‘hot air’ we have just enjoyed while in Texas. It all started several years ago when visiting the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While attending the Fiesta, we were walking through the grounds just prior to the ‘balloon glow’ and were recruited by a balloon pilot to help out because his crew could not get through the traffic in time to help inflate his balloon. This was our introduction to ‘crewing’ for a balloon and we enjoyed the experience so much, we added it as one of the items in our bucket list.
Now, fast forward to today and the Great Texas Balloon Race held as an annual event each year in Longview, Texas. Bibi saw on Facebook they were still in need of volunteers to help ‘crew’ for some of the balloons coming to the race this year. She called and we were assigned to a pilot and crew chief from Albuquerque. Even though we had ‘planned’ on crewing in Albuquerque, this was the next best thing and as it turned out the absolute best scenario we could have hoped for as our first ‘real’ experience in hot air ballooning.
We made our way to pick up our T-shirts, badges and parking passes identifying us a ‘Crew’ for the Great Texas Balloon Race on Wednesday afternoon. The next morning at 6 AM we show up for a practice flight before the actual races begin on Friday morning. We were glad for a chance to learn and practice before the ‘real’ thing took place. Our balloon pilot had just returned from a trip to Lithuania where he helped a fellow pilot and friend in a World Championship race.
The friend’s name is Cheri (pronounced sherry), our pilot’s name is Mark. Together they are the International Gas Balloon Team representing the U.S. in events all over the world. In Lithuania, Cheri placed third in the women’s division for the World Championship. Yes, third in the entire world! Mark is a U.S. National Gas Balloon Champion. Together they have many distinguished honors and championships. We were honored and extremely pleased to be put with them our very first day. Cheri and Mark both flew in the balloon the first day (the practice day) and then they each had their own balloons they flew during the three day event. You can read more about them at www.flygas.net and follow them on the Facebook page at Flygas (it is the one with the red balloon type logo). They will be one of the USA teams flying in Germany during September.
We crewed for Mark during the Great Texas Balloon Race. Mark had with him Danny from Albuquerque as his crew chief. Danny has worked as one of the ‘zebras’ during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for over 20 years. What is a ‘zebra’ you ask, well they are a group of dedicated folks who help coordinate and launch the balloons during the Fiesta. They are focused on safety, organization and speed as they go about dressed in referee shirts (you know, the black and white striped shirts, hence 'zebra') and some wear fun, crazy type headgear. It is a show, in and of itself, to watch these professionals get wave after wave of balloons launched into the air safely. All three, Cheri, Mark and Danny were great to be around and so patient to explain, demonstrate and teach specific tasks to a couple of rookies. We could not have picked a better bunch of folks than these to work with and that is not a tall tale.
We were amazed to learn how much technology is used in flying these craft. You don’t just air them up and take off to wherever the wind blows you. There is skill involved with choosing the right altitudes to catch the correct direction and speed. Not to mention when to leave and how fast to leave that compass and altitude setting for a new one. The races involve tasks and targets that use skill, experience and the constantly changing weather environment to proceed to a target area while performing specific tasks. The whole purpose of which is to gain the most points possible during each segment of the flight. Technology aids such as mapping software with built-in altimeter, wind speed, direction and GPS coordinates aid the pilots in accomplishing their goals.
The purpose of the crew is to quickly unpack the balloon, attach it to the basket, air up the balloon envelope, assist the pilot with anything needed and help to safely launch the craft. Once launched, you then follow (chase, literally in some cases) the balloon in case of an emergency or to assist at different target zones and ultimately recover the craft at the landing zone (which is unknown until the last minute). Once the pilot has the craft down, the envelope is deflated, detached from the basket and all packed up until the next flight. A lot of things happen fast (especially in the beginning of the flight) and then settle down to a slower pace once the balloon and pilot are safely back on the ground.
 |
| Receiving instructions. Danny on left, me and Mark on right. |
 |
| Heating the air, Mark is in the basket. |
 |
| Ready to fly. Cheri in 45 and Mark in 44. |
 |
| She is off. |
 |
| Last minute adjustment. |
 |
| He is off too. |
 |
| Up, up and away! |
 |
| That is number 44 with the white band in the middle. |
 |
| Lining up for the approach to a target. |
 |
| Landed and now to pack everything back up. |
 |
| Candlestick firing without balloon at end of National Anthem! |
 |
| Balloon Glow with all burn, from beside number 44. |
 |
| Danny, Mark, Larry and Beverly Thanks Danny and Mark for making us feel so much a part of the team! |
Here is one last item of ‘hot air’ from Texas.
 |
| Gotta love it! |
We didn't make it out to the balloons this year, but would have loved to see you both in action. Ya'll make work look like fun!
ReplyDeleteWork is fun, in the right circumstances and with the right folks.
Delete