Ricky's Balloon

My son has wanted a hot air balloon ever since we took him out ballooning at 6 months old. Our kids have been part of the chase crew with us for the last 13 years that we've been involved in the sport with some friends of ours, balloon pilots Scott and Cynthia Wooge. Both kids have also flown a number of times in the balloons, and both would like us to have our own. Rick even went so far as to take a pilot's course this spring with the FAA, and he and Ricky took the Ground School for crew.


So everyone want's a balloon right? Nope. Not me. If we're going to lay out the money, give me a speedboat anytime. I love going out on the water, I find it peaceful, plus you get to swim and keep cool in the hot Missouri summers. Ballooning gets pretty hot in the sweltering heat when you are standing near or under a balloon burner.


But I'm clearly outvoted, so we're in the market for a good used balloon.


Here are some cute pictures from the flights the family (not me) worked on Saturday night. Four balloons went up and Emily took the pictures. Enjoy!