Hot Air Balooning...

[shootitup]

If anyone is interested, I crew for a hot air balloon team out of Augusta, GA. If anyone wants to tag along some time, and get some great shots at balloon events (that's what they're called when they're all massed together). There will be an event memorial day weekend in Anderson, SC. That is the largest balloon event in the Southeast with almost 100 balloons. There will be one in Syracuse, NY June 10-12 and one in York, PA from June 17-19. I will be at those three. There are MANY MANY more. You can get up close and personal at most of these events (Albequerque and New Jersey do not let spectators up close). So they are awesome photo opportunities. The insides of the balloon are what interests me the most, as you don't see those pics that often. Either way, if you need more information about ballooning, and want to get in touch with an event, or a pilot, feel free to contact me, or go to www.bfa.org (http://www.bfa.org/)

Believe it or not, pilots always need crew, and it's the best way to get a free ride. That is how my wife and I got hooked up with ballooning. We met a pilot and he needed crew, now it's one of the hobbies my wife and I share. It's a great weekend activity, and the photo opportunities are endless.

My email is davidlbauer@********** if you want to ask any questions or need help finding a pilot in your area.

[Tom W]

I'd enjoy shooting them from the ground (with the camera, of course), but there's no way on God's green earth that I'm going to get in one. I won't even clean second-floor windows on the outside.

[Pugdaddy]

Thanks for the tip, David. I've always wanted to go to one of these events and I see on the website that you recomended that there's one near me in Lisle, IL. and another in Goshen, IN.. I'm going to keep those in mind this summer. Sounds like a great place to shoot. Thanks again.
As far as being a crew member, I should be so lucky to be elected to be one. My buddy went for a balloon ride in SD. last summer and said it was fantastic. I'd love to try it. I'm wanting to go skydiving in Sept. for my 50th birthday. If I get to I'm sure I'll be posting pics here.
How about a couple of pics, buddy?

[sparker1]

Thanks, David. I'm very much interested in pursuing a ride. We were at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in 2003 and loved it. Actually, they allowed folks down on the launch field, up close and personal with the balloons. it is a very special event. Our motorhome was parked right by the launch field and they came over us very low, sometimes too low. One balloon came down within 20 feet of a motorhome. He reported seeing someone in the shower (through the skylight).

[sixshot]

Sounds like fun and some great opportunities. Do they ever some as far as China?!!

[Bamamike]

Don't forget the 28th AL hot-air balloon classic in Decatur. About 60 balloons and a lot of fun around. The oldest hot-air ballon race was in 1977 started in Decatur.
On Saturday they have the wonderful ballon glow, or "ballomination". Fireworks on Sunday.