Classic - Thursday night

Once again we were ground bound gawkers. We were scheduled to fly off of the field, but the way the wind was going, that had Dad going north towards the Des Moines airport where there tend to be a lack of landing spots. We pulled out onto the field, but Dad opted out, so we watched from the field. As the last of the balloons was taking off, we were told about a pilot that took the keys to the chase vehicle up with him. We drove up to the pilot compound, dropped off the basket & envelope, and Dad took Paul's crew to chase Paul, while the rest of us joined the Harris Fan Club in the spectator area. We got seated just as the balloons flying in started coming over. Winds had changed, so only a couple made the field. Brennan has taken up the photography bug & started taking pictures of total strangers. (Bree, the balloons are behind you!) Angie & I visited the winery tent to sample some wine & a good time was had by all, just hanging out. The evening ended with a puny night glow (only 7 balloons).

Classic - Thursday morning

And our fearless leader has done it again!! We are seriously considering nominating him for the BCFA (Balloon Crew Federation of America) Pilot of the Year for his exemplary treatment of his crew. Short grass take offs, short grass landings, no big bad carry outs, and he swings by the pilot compound to pick us up, rather than making us walk all the way out to where the chase vehichles have to park! Although when we made the suggestion, he said that if it would keep his name out of the meeting, he might consider....., and left it at that.

He took off southeast of the field & had an awsome drop at the first target! He missed the second target to the west & the one at the field by about 10 feet. Since he was at the field, he took advantage of the great big landing spot & landed. Jo Ann, Brett, Tyler & I walked out to him with the bag (they wouldn't allow vehichles on until all the balloons were past), and got him all bagged up, so when Mom & Brandon drove out, all we had to do was load it up & go!

Classic - Wednesday night

Again, we flew, and again another short grass take off & landing (and we didn't get stuck!!)!! Thank you to our "fearless leader"! I didn't get any good pics of dad, but got some good glow pics. We took off south of the field & Dad & Jo Ann landed at the field. They laid down until Mom was able to drive onto the field, then we set it back up, and walked him up the field to a better spot. They let the spectators onto the field, and I think we've decided we have never seen so many people on the field, and this is our 10th Classic!!

Classic - Wednesday morning

WE FLEW!! At the launch site, people were getting stuck left and right, and some of those were just asking to get stuck. They'd sit there & watch one guy get stuck, and then follow in the same spot & get stuck. We got stuck, but it was on flat ground (most people getting stuck on hills) where no one else got stuck. Luckily for us, someone was able to pull the van out before we took off. The flight was slow & Dad gave up before the field. He landed in a nice yard south of the middle school (where they were fueling). Another short grass take off and landing!! Dad didn't make the field, but got some pretty pics.

Classic - Tuesday night

Some flew, but we didn't. Everything was still too wet from all the rain that we've gotten, plus the winds were a little on the high side. As we sat there & watched them, it was gusting up to 12. It was pretty hazy, so not a lot of good balloon pics, but got a couple of good sunset pics.

The fan club

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Originally uploaded by dmay

The missing fan club, some of us will return tonight!

Classic - Tuesday morning

Still too wet.

Classic - Monday night

Too wet.

Classic - Monday morning

Still raining.

Classic - Sunday night

It rained.

Classic - Sunday moning

Some flew; Dad didn't.

work has begun

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Originally uploaded by dmay

We came home to find that work has begun on the house, this is just the primer color.

Ambrosia and the space Shuttle

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Originally uploaded by dmay

Just shows you how big the Space Shuttle Balloon is.

Classic - Saturday night

Another calm evening, but tonight we had the legandary Indianola box winds. At different heights the winds were going in various directions, so by going up & down, you can take off & land in the same spot. About 5 balloons out of 70 or so managed this, but Dad was not one of them. Since the winds were calm, Dad got the opportunity to take Tyler up. They were up for about a half hour, and went about a half mile. It was a short grass take off & landing, so the crew was happy!! With all the balloons in the air & calm winds, everyone was bunched pretty close together, and it was BEAUTIFUL!!! Photo by Mom, as I left mine in Brad's car :(

Photo by Brad.

The first of a couple of crew pics that we will post this week. Brad was here for today's flights, and will head home after tomorrow morning's flight. We'll have some more crew coming later in the week.

Classic - Sat morning

He flew.

Night Glow at the Classic

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Originally uploaded by dmay

Just some of the balloons that glowed

National Balloon Classic

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Originally uploaded by dmay

Just some of the balloons on the field on Friday July 25, with Grandma and the great granddaughters.

Classic - Friday night

Winds were calm, aka, non-existant. They called a fly in task, tip the out house. One of the first balloons in hit it, and of course, we were just taking off right when Aaron Gebhart hit the port-a-pot. Dad was the last one off, and he was accompanied by a very excited Brandon (on his 3rd flight, hence the three fingers.) Dad took off north-west of the field, missed the field & flew right over the parking lot (which is a no-no to land in). He flew on for a few miles & had a very soft road landing right at sunset. With all the water, the bugs were nasty & it was "hu-mug-ity" (new word provided by JoAnn).

Neil Diamond

Neil was great!!! They did not let us take pictures. And yes Carol when he sang Sweet Caroline, we changed it to Carol Ann.

Classic Blog??

Are we gonna do a blog for the classic like last year?? And if so, what is the site address?? I figure it would be a good idea, that way those that aren't there all week can keep up on the flights. I'll try to do a better job of keeping on top of it this year.

The trip to the Queen

Gma, Maryls, Lu and I(Donna) took a trip to the Iowa Great Lakes and took the trip on the Queen 2.

Bull Head GOING

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Originally uploaded by dmay

Yes, it is true the ugly bullhead in Space is going!!! Do sure what is going to replace it but it is going away!!!

money going