CH>  How deep is the basket? :) People have to sit strapped in or can they
 CH> stand up so as to see?

 FV> If you're a nice looking young female, the pilot might strap you
 FV> down. (joke)

 Hahaha...

 FV> Actually, the basket is about 3 feet tall on lowest part. Probably 4
 FV> feet on the corners. No chairs or straps. You stand for the flight and
 FV> look any direction you desire.

 Anybody ever get sea er flight sick ? 

 FV> Other than the noise when the pilot is firing the burners, it's quiet
 FV> and peaceful. You're low enough to see the fields, roads, buildings
 FV> and other stuff. If you've ever played with one of those toys that
 FV> looks like a city with the cars and such, it's amazing how similar
 FV> things look from the balloon. I wonder if those toys weren't made from

 Yep. I got that impression every time we came in for a landing via
airplane. Coming down from the clouds is truly awesome!! :)
especially Orlando, FL. Ever been there?


 FV> someone's experience in a balloon. :-)  Yes, the fields really do look
 FV> like that. :)

 In the Star-Telegram was an aerial view of FW taken from the North...
It's kinda funny if you'll pardon me... as it looks like well.. I had
the impression that old game "LIFE"... The very thing.

A scattering of tall buildings, parks... narrow waterway (Trinity
River)_.... stuck smack davitin the middle of no-where. 

Being from the hilly parts or Upstate Western NYS I can never quite get
over how flat it is here. Yes even Florida is flat though much wetter.
It's just amazing. Scary even :)
..........

 CH>  When is the next fest in Plano to be held. Perhaps now that we know
 CH> what to expect we'll bring a couple beach chairs, a deck o'cards and

 FV> Next year.

 Hmm okee...

 One thing a bit off topic from this I hve been wanting to ask you. Is
just how is it all the tall glass paneled sky scrappers manage to
survive the annual hail storms come spring? :) I'm hoping the fact they
do survive means such storms are not at all too common or brutal as
I've read they can be.

........
 CH> stick around longer :) We had sat up by the fence. There was some
 CH> shade had by the banner there. Sure was a nice day. ((Loved those corn
 CH> dogs!))

 FV> Corn dogs are the reason to go to the fair or other events. :)

 hehee I'll take that as a hint. They're probably bad for us but darn
it they're GOOD! And not those little winky dinky things you can get
at a mall. These were a good 12 inches, and the corn bread made 'em a
few inches bigger all together.

The corn bread part reminds me of an excellent corn bread recipe I have
from a friend in PA. I'll send it you you if you like. I'm thinking of
finding a corn dog pan and making my own corn dogs. But baked instead of
fried. (Are we getting hungry yet?)
................

 CH> Wouldn't it be at all possible to navigate the balloon back to the
 CH> launch field given the wind cooperated? A round trip sort of flight?

 FV> Not impossible, but not very likely. If the wind is blowing north, the
 FV> currents at different levels (heights) might vary some, but the
 FV> general direction is north only. Balloons go up and down. That's the
 FV> only real control of direction that they have.

 I see..  You are with the chase crew? But you've been up in the balloon? :)
................

 FV> With that said, I've been told that at the Albuquerque festival it is
 FV> sometimes possible to fly back to the launch site because the festival
 FV> is in a kind of valley and the sides of the "dish" tend to make the
 FV> air blow from one direction at low level and the opposite at a higher
 FV> level. This is very rare, though.

 FV> Add in repairs, insurance and other things like that and it adds up
 FV> real fast. :)

 CH>  Yep. It does. I'm trying to recall what the longest Balloon flight in
 CH> history has been. (Yes I know go look it up but if you do know then
 CH> that would be a fine conversation get goer.)

 FV> Hot air, gas or combination balloon??   I have no idea on the records,
 FV> but the type of balloon makes a difference.

 In Elmira NY the 'soaring capital of the world' gliders and hang gliding
 are quite popular. Done up on Harris Hill. Visit their website
 sometime. (gosh dang I can still picture the lookover the overlook.

 But for the lack of wings, we humans do love to fly! :)

 Cindy

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