5 Tips for going on your first Hot Air Balloon Ride
(This Hot Air Balloon Ride was arranged on behalf the of TMS Travel Conference we attended compliments of The Red Rock Balloon Rally in Gallup, NM. The Views and Opinions Expressed are entirely my own. Read my full disclosure here.)
Have you ever been to a Hot Air Balloon Ride?
Recently my husband and I went on our first Hot Air Balloon Ride while at the TMS Family Travel Conference in Gallup New Mexico. (read about our experience at this year's TMS conference -->HERE<--) When I heard we were going to have the opportunity to go on a hot air balloon ride I was excited yet nervous. I wanted my husband to go with me but wasn't sure if he would since he has this thing about heights.
Imagine my surprise when my husband Rory readily agreed. He said that even though he doesn't like heights, that like me it had been on his bucket list for as long as he could remember to ride in a hot air balloon. Seriously, aren't Hot Air Balloons just magical? They make me think of The Wizard of Oz and Around the World in 80 Days.
The night before our much anticipated Hot Air Balloon, we got to experience a Balloon Glow. What is that? Well we gathered at a stadium where the hot air balloons were filled (as if ready to launch) and anchored and they turned out the stadium lights then the pilots took turns lighting up their balloons with the propane flames (normally used to fly their balloons.) Let me tell you experience this was sooo cool. It got us soo excited to fly the next morning.
At 6:30 the next morning we found ourselves with other fellow family travel bloggers on a shuttle bus heading to where we would be going on our hot air balloon rides. We were bundled up because New Mexico in November before the sunrises is pretty fridged. We knew that once we got in the Hotair balloon it would be warm enough, but we had to get the hot air balloon set up first.
Wow does it take a lot of teamwork to get a hot air balloon set up and ready to fly? Each balloon needs its own crew to do so. For this experience, my husband and I (as well as other travel bloggers in our group) all got to help.
Once we were all ready our balloon was able to take up 4 passengers at a time. Since there were soo many of us who wanted this experience and only 4 hot air balloons available we didn't take a long flight (like you would if you chartered a Hot air balloon ride) rather we went Cliff hopping instead.
This meant each group would go over a cliff then down then back up again over another cliff (there were plenty where we were flying) before finally landing. My husband and I were in the second group to fly so we got the experience of balloon chasing before we had our ride.
After we were all done flying and packed up we went back to the Red Rock Conference Center (where we were meeting for the TMS Conference was being held and we all got to participate in a special Hot Air Balloon Ceremony were we got to drink (water) after reciting the traditional Balloonist Prayer "The Winds have Welcomed you with softness. The Sun has blessed you with its warm hands. You have flown so high and so well that God has joined you in your laughter and set you gently back again into the loving arms of Mother Earth."
A Special thanks to the Red Rock Balloon Rally for this amazing experience!
A Special thanks to the If you are looking at going on a Hot Air Balloon Ride alone or with your family here are a few tips for smooth flying.
1- Fly with a trusted pilot. I was a lot less stressed knowing I was flying with someone with the experience our pilot had flying all over the world.
2- Dress Warm. You have to fly in the morning and it can get pretty cold before you get up in the air.
3- Secure your camera or phone with a strap or grip so you don't drop it while taking photos and videos of your flight.
4- Bring a friend. It is always better to experience amazing things with someone close to you. If you want to go as a family you will want to wait until your youngest is at least 6 (old enough to see over the basket edge and take directions.
5-Have FUN! There is nothing like floating above the earth embrace every minute!
I had soo much fun, flying in a Hot Air Balloon that I think I became addicted and dream of going again. I can't wait till my kids are a bit older and we can all go together.
If you liked this post then check out these: (Click on the photo to go to the post)
Thank you for your tip to dress warmly when you fly in an air balloon because it can be cold in the morning air. I am thinking about taking my husband on a hot air balloon ride for our anniversary. I will keep this tip in mind as I look for the right hot air balloon company.