So here’s a story… There was this couple who had been together a long, long time, really it has been a long time. The wife (that being me of course) wanted to plan something special for the husband (that being Bob of course). He’s a bit… of an adventurer and usually he’s the planner. So what to do, what to do?

She decides to pursue the idea of a hot air balloon ride. That would fun. She makes all the arrangements, and keeps it a secret from the husband.
The balloonists are located in beautiful Kalispell, MT just southwest of Glacier National Park.
On Friday, Sept 25th just 10 minutes before she leaves work to head north to their secret destination she gets a call from balloonist. It goes something like this… “We’re so sorry, but because of circumstances out of our control we will not be able to conduct any flights this weekend” She’s bummed but it’s not their fault and she and husband can still have fun at the park. So off they go north anyway.

They settle in that evening, wander around the town of Whitefish for a bit, find a quaint little dinner ‘The Red Caboose’ which served excellent food.
Next morning they sleep in, head out for breakfast before going to Hungary Horse Dam & park.
While at breakfast she gets a call from balloonist, it goes something like this… “Looks like there is a chance, could be a slim chance, but a chance that we can fly tomorrow. Are you interested?” Well YEAH, that would be awesome. Off to the park with a spring in our step.

She touches base with balloonist again that evening to see if there is still a chance. Yes there’s still a chance. They arrange to talk again in morning.
6:30 AM balloonist calls and says weather looks iffy, but lets meet at site and then we will decide.
Off to the Kalispell Armory (our launch site). Do a little balloon test to see what the upper winds are like and it’s a GO.

The men (husband & another passenger) help with pre-flight setup, while women (me & another passenger) take lots of photos.
Once the balloon is inflated and gently bouncing on the ground we all board and lift off.

We went as high as over 4,000 feet and as low at 2 feet. It’s nothing like flying in an airplane, but more like what you might imagine gliding or floating on the air would be like. Our pilot took high, brought us down low and back up again. The entire flight was about 75 minutes and absolute joy.

When you look at the pics I’ve posted start at the beginning as it takes you through the experience beginning to end.