September 1 - 3 2016

In an attempt to check off yet another item from my bucket list, or in this case (our) list - Darlene and mine, we journeyed to upstate New York for our long anticipated hot air balloon ride!!  Destination...
Letchworth State Park.

New York is truly beautiful - the 6 hour ride gave me a new appreciation for the wonder of our state - the mountains, and vistas were a sight to behold.  The park itself is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East and was named the Number 1 park in the entire USA!!

The park was once the native land of the Seneca Indians and was purchased by William Pryor Letchworth in the mid 1800's.  Not sure from whom he purchased it...  Anyhow, he wanted to preserve the area and so deeded it over to the state department in 1907.

We stayed in the park at the Glen Iris Inn, adjacent to the middle falls (there are 3 - upper, middle, and lower).  Though our main focus was the balloon ride, the park boasts hiking trails, camp sites, water sports, including white water rafting, (seasonal), and winter sports as well.

We had a reservation for ballooning, at 6am on Friday morning.  We'd have to call at 4 to see if it was still on.  Apparently, rides are weather determined.  Lenny did the early calling and we were up and out and at the rendezvous by 6.  Along comes a van, hauling a little basket - this can't be it, can it?  It was!!  Since there were 6 of us, we were going to have to split up - 2 balloons!  The nerves were about to kick in!



We followed the vans to our launch site (private property) and the mist rising off the meadow and pond was a little eerie.  Not to worry - Ann brought along a good friend...stoli...to take a fortifying swig - or two!

A definite process to get the balloons ready - attention paid so as not to twist or tangle the  lines.  The baskets DID NOT HAVE DOORS like in the Wizard of OZ!  Had to climb up and over - me having those short legs, this was no easy task.  The four of us were in the smaller basket, cause it had more fuel.  Ann and Sheldon had the larger basket, and so were roomier.  We were pretty tight in that basket, along with our pilot.  It didn't matter - as we ascended - you could have heard a pin drop!  The mist, the rising sun, just flowing, gliding effortlessly - honestly - there are no words to describe the beauty, or the sensation.  It was like nothing else mattered, except you and the universe!

Skimming the treetops was unbelievable - the pilot brought us down just enough so we could pick leaves!  Then we traversed to the railroad, and got over the tracks just as a train approached - doesn't sound like much but it was a highpoint!!

He took us into the park, over the falls, into the river and back up, and to the railroad trestle.  It was fabulous.  I didn't want it to end.  The pilots coordinated our landing to be together - seemingly unheard of.  We landed in the field of a bowling alley!

Champagne was presented to the owners by way of a thank you, and some type of cider was given to us as a form of congratulatory accomplishment of our virgin voyage!!  It was great and we felt lucky to have actually done it, since very often rides are cancelled due to weather conditions.  Needless to say, ours was PERFECT!!!