Hot Air Balloon Flight Record - 19-20Jul2008
Dave, Dan : Jeff, Beverly

It's a rough weather forecast this year. VERY hot and humid which sets us up for afternoon thunderstorms. Friday afternoon was just that, pop up thunderstorms all around. We didn't have any storms go directly over but the out-flow winds of other storms got to us. Flights were canceled but things calmed down later so the could do the glow.

Saturday morning was forecast clear of storms and wind, but we knew fog would be an issue. When it finally burned off to give us enough visibility and confidence it wouldn't re-form, we inflated. Surface winds were so light that the clearing fog created swirls so we spent the first part of the flight at low level over the field bouncing around the other balloons. Finally climbed out of the crowd to search for Frank Bart. My passengers, Dave and Dan, were part of a group of seven and Frank had the other five. We got closer as we inched north over the red zone to finally reach Colrain road. Frank landed in the field across the street, we cross back south and landed near a house at the fork.

Saturday evening was a repeat of Friday and the flights were called off at the first briefing. Sunday morning was a repeat of Saturday morning, but less fog. It was never too thick to fly and we just had to wait long enough to make sure it wasn't building. Took Jeff and his mom Beverly. We first stayed low enough to head west over the driveway circle and into the parking lot, then climbed to head north. Crossed near yesterdays landing site and continued north up Plain/Green River Road. Decided to stay on the west side of the river since the crew would need a head start to find the bridge if we crossed. As we approached the end of the valley, Collier found a yard to land in and we continued into the middle of a neighborhood to allow for shifting any direction! Turned left to eventually reverse down low and on final approach to landing we turned another 90 degrees left into a yard by the cul-de-sac. Had to move off the end of the driveway as Kate approached from the opposite direction.