Anyone Taken a Hot Air Balloon Ride?

[Debbi]

We are leaving in a week for the Grand Tetons and I am seriously thinking about taking a hot air balloon ride. Never done it before and am a little apprehensive because I am afraid of heights. I have no problems flying in a plane and have gone beyond my comfort zone height-wise for pictures in the past. Not sure if I should drop the $$ because I'm not entirely sure I could follow thru. It does sound way cool, though, and what a great perspective for pics. Any thoughts?

[hoseman1]

I don't know if the GoodYear Blimp qualifies as a "Hot Air Balloon" but while I worked for a hose manufacture in Florida, their parent company sponsered the Daytona 500. We got to go for a ride in the blimp, and it was one of the neatest things I have ever done. GO FOR IT......

[JohnT]

My fear of heights is of the same type as yours, and I'm not sure that I could deal with a HAB ride. Who knows, maybe a good round of skydiving would cure me.

[my3peas]

I have several times! It's the most amazing feeling! It's so silent up there. I've only gone over Lake Powell, but I can imagine the Tetons would be as exhilerating! I say do it! No time like the present to conquer that fear!

[PIC]

Its Fun !
Just don't climb up the silk ladder into the balloon when in the air and open the air chute.
This was the scary part and I was a skydiver.

EL

[Debbi]

Thanks everyone. My gut tells me to do it. What a great opportunity - and - my 10 yo son wants to do it. Surely I can too. John, I'll leave the skydiving to you. No reason to jump out of a perfectly good plane. I just don't want to pay for it and back out or worse - panic on take off.

[my3peas]

Oh! And just look at the horizon til you get used to it. It helps a lot!

[Debbi]

Originally Posted by PIC

Its Fun !
Just don't climb up the silk ladder into the balloon when in the air and open the air chute.
This was the scary part and I was a skydiver.

EL

I don't think that will be a problem

[Debbi]

Originally Posted by my3peas

Oh! And just look at the horizon til you get used to it. It helps a lot!

Now, that's a tip I can use. Thanks, Christie!

[Daniel Bates]

Originally Posted by Debbi

Thanks everyone. My gut tells me to do it. What a great opportunity - and - my 10 yo son wants to do it. Surely I can too. John, I'll leave the skydiving to you. No reason to jump out of a perfectly good plane. I just don't want to pay for it and back out or worse - panic on take off.

Ah, but what if you get paid for it?

[kamari]

Had a friend who just came back from a balloon ride in the Grand Tetons (she lives in Phoenix) and she keeps telling me that its more fun than skydiving...to which I say that's gotta be impossible. Go for it...it's an almost once-in-a-lifetime thing. There's a place in plano (if i'm not mistaken) that has rides for like $175...and when you finish, head a lil further up 75 to Melissa and for the same price you could jump out of that perfectly fine plane...that takes off in a grass field.

[Debbi]

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

Ah, but what if you get paid for it?

Why? Are you offering?

[Daniel Bates]

No, but my employer is...

[Sbwood007]

Go for it!!!! My family and I just had a balloon ride last weekend in North Texas, and it was a blast. Give me a call or Im me, 214.952.0473. Be sure to take your camera!!!!!

Stephen

[Debbi]

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

No, but my employer is...

The Army doesn't want me.