Up up and Away!

Ballooms Galore

I’m not really much of a morning person.  However due to a special opportunity this weekend I resolved to set my alarm early. Very early. Like ten minutes to five, before the sun is even up, type early! It was the weekend of the Rogue Valley Balloon Rally and for three days I was privileged to hold the volunteer position of official photographer for the event.

Some say that balloonists are playing with fire by rising so early just to hang high above the earth from a basket, roped underneath a thin envelope of cloth. Okay, I’ll acknowledge the playing with fire part but  having spent the past couple of days with them I know more than anything they are  a  passionately dedicated group of  fun loving, safety conscious  individuals. Their hearts are most definitely in the right place, especially when it comes to supporting our community.

This year the Rally is supporting the Children’s Miracle Network. By raising funds through business sponsorships and balloon rides they will  help provide for the medical needs of young people who face life threatening illnesses in our community. It’s a worthy cause and one I believe in.  Few things feels so good  as being able to give back professionally by using the talents one harbors a passion for.

Coffee's on

Rolling myself out of a perfectly snug, warm, comfortable bed I stumbled to the kitchen in the dark and poured myself a large cup of black coffee in hopes of kick starting my senses.  Once the dream time cobwebs were swept into the corners of my head I climbed into comfortable outdoor clothing, grabbed my camera gear and heading off into the pre-twilight dawn.  I was now primed and ready for whatever this ungodly early morning hour should hold in store for my wandering lens. I was not to be disappointed for my efforts.

Indespensible Tools of the Trade

Upon arriving at the launch site I joined a group of pilots  gathered  in anticipation of the 6AM pilot’s briefing.  Balloonists are a close knit lot and I witnessed cheerful hugs, handshakes and plenty of good natured laughter as  friends greeted one another less like colleagues or acquaintances and  more like extended and cherished family members.  I felt  comfortable  and accepted among these folks even though this was the very first time I was meeting them.  It was apparent that all  gathered shared the common bond of  thrill and adventure.

Testing the burners

This  morning I was privileged to be assigned to ride with Mike “Jello” Elder of Fresno, California who pilots a balloon crewed by Ron “Wuss” Ruiz.  Mike and Ron, two very likable, easy going and knowledgeable  young men were among the youngest participants at the event. Although still in College Mike is a very capable and competent pilot and shared a wealth of information about the sport of Hot Air Ballooning with me. In regards to his nickname, Mike explained that all balloon pilots and crew members are given a nickname early in their ballooning career.  When asked how he got his Mike would only say is “it’s a long story”.

Applying some heat

Balloons ascend into the Medford sky

Once our balloon was made ready for launch and properly checked for crew and passenger safety, the ground  slipped away beneath us with a mighty roar as Mike poured on the heat from the propane burner.  It may have been a cool morning but the penetrating warmth of the propane jet was as toasty as any over sized outdoor gas grill could be. This was my third trip as passenger in a hot air balloon but the elation I experienced at leaving the ground behind and ascending into the heavens had not diminished.  Unlike conventional prop driven or jet engine aircraft, with their constant assault of sound and vibration,  a  balloon flight is a satisfying and leisurely stroll in the clouds punctuated only sporadically by an explosive burst of  powerful flame.

Pilot Mike "Jello" Elder on the left and acting Crewchief Eldon Foster

A balloon pilot navigates at the whim and fancy of  rising heat and the direction of the prevailing breeze.  Controlling ones direction of travel and  eventual landing place is anything but an exact science. As the first pilot I rode with some years ago told me; “Everything in a balloon is an afterthought. It takes a few moments for heat from the the burner to create the desired lift. The trick is to know how much to apply and when.”  It may not be an exact science,  but a need for skill is an absolute certainty.

Rogue Valley's Roxyann Peak on the left with Mount Ashland beyond in the distance

After an hour of riding the gentle Southern Oregon breeze it was time for Mike to find us an appropriate landing spot. What goes up must eventually come down, it’s just a matter of where.   Fortunately the wind had carried us over an area that is ideal for hot air ballooning with many large open fields well suited  for parking a multiple story vehicle  until the ground crew shows up to collect airship, crew and passengers.  Occasionally access is either difficult or non-existent for the  chase truck making it necessary to completely disassemble the balloon and pack everything out by hand.  Fortunately this morning’s flight ended with our crew being able to pull right up to the landing spot, much  to the delight of pilot, crew chief and yours truly.

Looking for a good spot to set down

Safe and sound upon the ground

"Now that I've caught it what do I do with it?"

I must confess feeling a twinge of guilt as I stood by documenting the event while Mike, Eldon and Ron set to the work of deflating and stowing the balloon in preparation for transport back to the launch site.  If it’s any consolation to the dedicated crew I was able to thoroughly document the heavy lifting side of this sport in photographs so others may have a better  understanding of the hard work  required to participate.

Nite Glow on Saturday evening

This year’s balloon rally culminated in a Night Glow exhibit on Saturday evening.  Earlier in the day there was doubt that it would take place due to the forecast of stiff breezes that were predicted to blow through.  By 8:30PM, the time slated for the Night Glow to begin, the winds were gusting to 10 miles per hour which is considered unsafe for balloons to inflate in.  At 9:30PM the winds had calmed somewhat and five of  the brave crews opted to give the large crowd of  specators the spectacular show they had come to see.   Even though the gusts eventually cut short the performance, they stayed calm just long enough for everyone, photographers included, to capture  and enjoy some wonderful memories to look back upon and talk about for years to come.

CLICK THIS LINKhttp://tinyurl.com/2009-RVBR for a complete slide show of images from this event!

Morning Ascension

If you belong to a non-profit organization or if you sponsor events that benefit worthy non-profits and  you have a visually interesting event coming up that might benefit from professional photography coverage please feel free to contact me. I would be honored to speak with you about the opportunity to help.

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