Up, Up and away...

[PhilNH5]

I have not posted in almost 4 months - since the site upgrade. But I finally can again.

For my mom's 71st birthday we sent her up in a hot air balloon. I stayed behind (admitted coward). The launch site was the grounds of a bulldozer dealer.

 

[PhilNH5]

Her she helps to inflate the ballooon

 

[PhilNH5]

Houston we have liftoff

 

[PhilNH5]

Mom, my wife and daughter in the basket along with the pilot

 

[PhilNH5]

This is a shot from the basket off another balloon

 

[PhilNH5]

Me in my truck chasing them

 

[PhilNH5]

My truck from the balloon

 

[PhilNH5]

Mom, ML and Amy toasting with champagne after landing

 

[PhilNH5]

Every one had a great time. My mom was tickled pink. All of her freinds can't believe she did it.

For her 69th birthday we took her to see Rod Stewart. I keep telling her we will take her rock climbing.

Phil

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Phil,
Welcome back to TBN ! Great set of pics ! Im not sure what would be more exciting, riding in the ballon or takin one of those dozers for a spin !

Nice treat for your Mom !

 

[Mith]

She looks like she enjoyed it, thats for sure


I snapped this pic of a balloon hitting the woods, it then landed in the field behind, going through a hedge on its way down

 

[PineRidge]

Great pictures Phil, thanks for sharing them.

 

[rbarker]

I have not posted in almost 4 months - since the site upgrade. But I finally can again.

I stayed behind (admitted coward).

I'm with you on that. I like good old terrafirma. The more firma the less terra!

 

[PhilNH5]

I like good old terrafirma. The more firma the less terra!

Bob,
I laughed out loud when I read that. This caused my wife to come read over my shoulder. She laughed even harder. She finds my fear of heights both amusing and frustrating. So I am asking for permission in advance to quote you as I know she will be using that terrafirma line in the future.

Scott, PineRidge and Mith,
Thanks for the kind words. My mom had a great time. Next year I won't send her rock climbing for her 72nd. But we are discussing a tandem parachute jump -her and an instructor harnessed together. Certainly not me - see Bob's terrafirma line. Mom is seriously considering the idea.

Phil

 

[rbarker]

Bob,
So I am asking for permission in advance to quote you as I know she will be using that terrafirma line in the future.

I heard it years ago, maybe on a cartoon somewhere so I can't claim it but as far as I'm concerned use it to your hearts content!

 

[ronjhall]

I'm with you on that. I like good old terrafirma. The more firma the less terra!

Great Quote.

For my mom's 71st birthday we sent her up in a hot air balloon. I stayed behind (admitted coward). The launch site was the grounds of a bulldozer dealer.

Congrat's to your Mom. I would stay on the ground and watch her enjoy the flight also.

 

[Thomas]

Crip autumn morning to you Phil.
That's just plan sweet for what you done for you mom.

Hope your planing to attend the Deerfield Fair this weekend...they got a lot of goodies on show.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

We got married in a hot air balloon over Sedona Arizona. Heights don't bother me much. But I found the hot air balloon flight not unlike the jump I did in 2005. I'm a little uncomfortable because there's this discussion going on between my mind and my stomach. My mind has the odds on it's side but my stomach is wrestling with my heart for access to the exit.

The thing about the hot air ride that impressed me was the silence, amazing. But I liked the parachute better, control.

 

[dbdartman]

Next year I won't send her rock climbing for her 72nd. But we are discussing a tandem parachute jump -her and an instructor harnessed together. Certainly not me - see Bob's terrafirma line. Mom is seriously considering the idea.

Phil

As a matter of perspective, back in the 80's ('85-'90) I made 2 annual "sabbaticals": Spring to Florida & late summer to Illinoise to skydive. On one of the spring trips I spent a day jumping with a 72 year old gentleman. After 3 jumps I was finished for the day & ready for some beer. He, however, made at least one more!

If you Mom liked the ballon flight (I've never been, but have witnessed many & my GF was crew-cheif for one for a year or 2), I'm sure she'll get a REAL kick out of a tandem jump!

Attached is your truely (blue jump suit, brown rig) approaching & docking on a 9-way over New Hanover, Pa in 1992 (first jump in 2 years due to an unrelated injury). Third pic was the flight line at DeLand, Fla., 1985 (my first trip there). Last is "bag-land" DeLand 1985.

 

[PhilNH5]

db,
Those are great pics - especially the first two. When I first mentioned the tandem jump to my mom I was joking. But she has brought it up a few times.

Maybe.... but as for me I see no nedd to exit a perfectly good airplane.

Phil