A
couple weeks ago I hinted at a birthday surprise from Zack (here)...and even a
little bit in my last post. Well, the wait is over (because I know you guys
were just consumed with wonder of what it could be). Last Sunday we went for a
hot air balloon ride.
This
is big on so many levels. First of all...this is a bucket list item for me.
But the biggest part is that it was ZACK'S idea. I figured I'd ride in a hot
air balloon one day with a friend or something because it was understood
between Zack and I that he would NOT be participating. He is terrified of
heights and not a huge fan of flying in an airplane, so the idea of being in an
open basket thousands of feet above the ground isn't really his cup of
tea.
Well
folks, never say never.
Needless
to say, I was pumped. Zack...not so much. He was literally only doing this for
me (seriously, give this guy an award for being so awesome). We had to leave at 3:30am Sunday morning and drive out to Temecula,CA for our sunrise
flight. Early morning, but I was way too excited to feel sleepy.
The
people who run the balloon company (California Dreamin') also have a vineyard
(Vindemia Vineyards), and that's where we met them, along with about 12 others,
at 5:30am to head to our launch site. The balloons take off from different
locations everyday depending on the wind, so we drive around for about 20 minutes
before we found the "perfect spot." And then the crew began inflating
the balloons.
They
were sending 2 balloons up that morning. Our basket was Zack and I, along with 2
other couples and the pilot, and once inflated, our balloon was about 7 stories
tall. We climbed into the basket, and before I knew it, we were floating up. It
is an insane thing to experience and almost impossible to describe, but the
balloon ride was so smooth. I actually didn't realize we were off the ground
until Zack mentioned it.
Then
up, up, up we went. We reached just over 4000 feet, and it was a perfect and
clear morning. The views in every direction were amazing. We could see the snowy
mountains, the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, Carlsbad, and even the Los
Angeles skyline in the distance. Not to mention all the other hot air balloons
around us. And to top it all off, Zack was having FUN. I've got to say, I
was surprised at how calm he was before the flight and through take off.
Maybe the fact that it was so early so his brain wasn't awake enough to be
afraid.
We
floated around for about an hour then just plopped the balloon down in a random
field, popped open some champagne (a tradition for all hot air balloon rides),
then drove back to the winery for MORE champagne, a little wine tasting, and
breakfast.
If
you've every considered or wanted to take a hot air balloon ride, I say DO IT!
And if you're telling yourself you're too scared...don't be. If Zack can do it
then anyone can. Fact.
XO –
Courtney
