“There is a road from the eye to the heart that does not go through the intellect.” – G.K. Chesterton
This hot air balloon soaring over my daughter's horse corral was a delightful surprise for my morning. -- Photo by Pat Bean
Up, Up and Away
A common sight for my daughter's family was a rare delight for me. -- Photo by Pat Bean
Shortly after the sun came up this morning, I beheld a wondrous, rare sight. Well, at least for me. It’s one that my daughter’s family sees most mornings from their desert landscaped home that looks down on Tucson.
Soaring above their horse corral was a hot air balloon, low enough for me to hear the whoosh of the flames as they roared their hot air upward into the balloon to keep it aloft. I could also hear the low murmurs of its passengers as they looked down on the sights beneath them. I waved.
Of course I wished I were up there with them, floating along at the pace of the wind.
I’ve been in hot air balloons twice, once over the desert near Las Vegas, and once over Africa’s Serengeti. The joy of floating above the earth and observing it from the advantage of height flooded my memories.
What a fantastic way to start my day.
Bean’s Pat: LavendarDragonfly http://tinyurl.com/6tachfh This blogger would have loved my morning. May we all have such eyes to see the tiny miracles of life around us.
Pat Bean's blog 
Now..THAT is a sight I certainly would not mind waking up to!
Hot air ballooning over the Serengeti is on my BID list (Before I Die). And speaking of lists….my list of ‘why I envy Pat’ continues to grow…..
Your comments brightened my day. My BID list includes Ayers Rock and Alice Springs in Australia. And I’m now plotting how to stretch my budget to get there. I think I’m at the point of ignoring the budget and just going. Perhaps you should do the same for the Serengeti adventure.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
Excellent advice….for us both! I lived in Australia….and I suggest you also check out the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania….and ANY outback town. You will never meet friendlier people.
I’m pretty sure you and I were separated at birth…
It is quite possible Alex. We do seem to have a lot in common. Thanks for commenting. I’m enjoying our back and forths.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
Always wanted to do this, yet too chicken!!! ~ Lynda
Go for it Linda. You’ll love it.
It is so amazing to look up and see a beautiful hot air balloon overhead. It’s only happened a few times to me, and I’m always so surprised at how loud they can be. Not a bad loud, an interesting loud…if that’s possible!
Thanks for sharing!
🙂
When I flew in a balloon over the serengeti, an elephant lifted its trunk and bellowed at the sound of the flaming whoosh. That was amazing. Thanks for commenting Elisa.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
One of these days I’ll gather the cajonas to ride in a hot air balloon. Until then I’ll live the experience through people like you.
A horse corral would even be a rare sight around my area, much less a hot air balloon.
Lovely pictures, your header, included.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Thanks Morgan
Anything up high is good, to open the vista and spread wide your gaze. I love the idea of such a slow boat way of flying.
Jim
Ditto what you said Jim
We see hot air balloons around here once a year — the Great Balloon Race as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival. It’s amazing!
I think you should put a Donate button on your site. I’d pitch in for you to visit Australia, so I could do it vicariously with you!
Interesting idea Marian. But I think there are much worthier causes out there.
Now that’s a treat! And great photo opportunity.
Thanks Alex.
Beautiful! Hot air balloons do not hover over our area of Virginia!
monti
Mary Montague Sikes
What a wonderful sight! 🙂
Yes it was Robin. Thanks