Pam and I enjoyed the local hot air balloon for the first time in 2021 floating directly in front of our home, along the valley formed by hills on the east and west, headed north toward Cayuga Lake and descending steadily, looked to have landed close by. I heard the “whoosh, whoosh” of the gas burner first and distinct from a jet landing at Tompkins County airport. Always a thrill to see one up close.
First Balloon Sighting
Always surprising and a wonder
Michael Stephen Wills Photography 
I love seeing the balloons. A few years ago, one tried to land in the park in front of our house, but the trees were too close. They ended up landing by the school.
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I was tempted to investigate, circumstances interfered as we were finishing up a late day swim.
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Non ci salirei ma ammetto che sono affascinanti.
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We have our reservations, as well. The expense, for one. abbiamo le nostre ansie per i palloncini, il costo del breve viaggio per uno.
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We used to have an event called the Ballunar Festival on the grounds of the Johnson Space Center. I don’t know why it ended, but for a few years it was great fun watching the balloons rise in the morning.
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It is on the wish list, to experience a morning balloon rise.
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The first time I saw it, from my apartment balcony, it was wholly unexpected, which made it puzzling and exciting all at once.
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exactly our experience
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Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.
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I’m thinking, Michael, that I’d love to do that – be onboard a balloon flight.
It looks like great fun!
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With the right outfit it can be a perfect new experience. Without a tether it is a way to “throw caution to the winds.” ha ha
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Haha…. xoxoxo
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Years ago we had a balloon make an emergency landing across the street from us. It was noisy as you noticed and all the neighbors came out to watch. No one was hurt though.
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Brings to mind Dorothy leaving Oz in the balloon.
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