nanabee

Would like to take our daughter and S-I-L
on a hot air balloon ride over the Del Mar/CArmel Valley area. (on August 22)

Has anyone done this?
Which company do you recommend?
Thanks in advance.

nanabee

hoping to be able to get some company recommendations before friday!!

sunbum1944

looks like this might be it

http://www.sandiegohotairballoons.com/

nanabee

thanks so much sunbum
i was also wondering if anyone has had any personal experiences.
how are the take offs, landings, etc.

sunbum1944

I have never done it myself but sounds fun
I have a friend who hot air ballooned in Missouri and it was a great experience- she didnt comment on the take offs and landings - however she had been drinking champagne all the way out to the take off site so she likely didnt notice whether it was bumpy or not

nanabee

champagne! LOL i'll remember that. i am a little worried about the landings!!

dawnnoelm

nanabee - I am so sorry - I have no recommendation - I do have a wonderful memory of the day I brought ds home from the hospital - 19 years ago and the balloons where all in flight out over the Carmel Valley area... I was living in Mira Mesa at the time. It is all on video and a lovely sight to see...
please let us know what you find.

nanabee

thanks dawnnoelm
sounds like a wonderful site to behold!
will keep you posted. it may not pan out as it could be to expensive for the four of us.

TahitiTams

Hi nanabee..
I have never done this but I have friends that have and loved it..remember that hot air balloon place next to En Fuego on Camino del Mar? I am going to the track tomorrow and see if its still there, if not here is some places..just google..

californiadreamin.com
gohotair.com

dawnnoelm

Let us know what you find out Tams - it might be a fun thing for me to do with dh as a surprise sometime

DebitNM

Landing a balloon should be like a kiss - gentle but with a bit a feeling behind it!

A good pilot will touch down with a mere bump. A not so good pilot could have you bounce along and or drag the basket. Of course, that is not something they want to have happen for a number of reasons.

When you are landing, you should hold on and bend your knees slightly and be prepared for a bump.

Take off will be just as you imagine.. a gentle lift above the ground with your shadow below you and a flame above you and only the sound of the burn and the quiet of the sky around you.

Enjoy it -- ballooning is magical!

Debi

nanabee

thanks tahiti tams: i will check out the web site - and good luck at the races!

debi - your comments on take off and landing put me more at ease!