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| Filed: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 2:50:32 PM |
| Filed Under: Hot Air Ballooning |
| Spring is Coming! |
It has to, right? We have received a lot of snow here in Letchworth country already this winter. Our lawn is still completely covered even though we have had a several day January thaw. I'm hoping to get in a winter flight or two. Lovely, with the snow on the ground!
Just about 4 months until our 9th annual Letchworth Red, White & Blue Balloon Festival. The dates this year are May 28th - 31st. Six flights are scheduled and I already have a committment from 25 other balloons to attend. This will be a specatacle. If you like to take photos, be sure and attend. There are still some passenger spots available.
This year we will have in attendance a couple of one man "cloudhopper balloons" and Gus G. Guppy, a balloon shaped like an adorable fish!
Spring is coming, I know because I already have visions of beautiful hot air balloons dancing in my head! |
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| Filed: Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 6:47:03 AM |
| Filed Under: Hot Air Ballooning |
| Merry Christmas |
I'm watching snow flurries gently falling into our woods. The winds are so light that they are falling straight down. A perfect Christmas Eve morning. I SHOULD be flying! I could have used some of these nice light winds back in October!
2009 was not a good year for balloon flights. Afternoon thunderstorms and gusty winds were commonplace for most of the season. A very unusual season, unfortunately. The flights we did get in were spectacular as usual. Mother Nature's gift to us that is Letchworth was it's usual breathtaking self.
I made many new friends flying this year which is the best part of my job. We created memories for several hundred people and I am eternally thankful for the gift of ballooning that was bestowed on me. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May your hearts be light. I am also raising my champagne glass to toast a 2010 filled with blue slies and light winds. Cheers! |
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| Filed: Friday, November 20, 2009 at 9:41:40 AM |
| Filed Under: Hot Air Ballooning |
| Season |
Wow, another flying season gone by. It turned out to be my worst in 22 years as far as number of flights. I had more than enough customers (thank you!) but not enough good, safe weather to fly them. October was the worst in memory, rain, wind and then more rain. October is never good but this was horrible. Now, that the leaves are gone and, so are the customers, November has been beautiful! 13 days without rain, the least in 70 years. Sometime, you just can't win when it comes to weather.
The good news is that next year HAS to be better. We are due for a drought which is good for ballooning. We're still here, happy and most importantly, healthy! A lot to be thankful for. I just had my balloon inspected by the FAA and it passed with flying colors (pardon the pun). I'm ready for spring.
Christmas gift certifcate sales have been strong seemingly earlier than usual. The economy is getting better and so are people's attitudes.
Denise and I wish you a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!
Sean |
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| Filed: Monday, October 05, 2009 at 8:56:43 AM |
| Filed Under: Hot Air Ballooning |
| Fall Flying |
I haven't been able to fly since 9/26, nine days ago. Wind and lake effect rain showers every day. 72 passengers canceled just last week alone. It doesn't look much better for the rest of this week. Major bummer. I used to love the autumn, until I started flying balloons!
When fall gets here, we have one system after another coming in seemingly rapid fire. The cold air crossing the warm Great Lakes create wind, clouds and lake effect rain. If it is cold enough, lake effect snow! I am still praying for a bubble of nice high pressure which will bring us cold but stable air with light winds. Stay tuned.
The good news is that the colors are pretty spectacular for the leaf peepers. I would guess that we are at about 40 - 50% right now. Letchworth was very busy over the weekend with few parking spots to be found. Enjoy it while it lasts! |
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| Filed: Friday, September 18, 2009 at 2:06:27 PM |
| Filed Under: Hot Air Ballooning |
| Autumn Air |
Ah, the smell of fall is in the air. I see many bright splashes of red and orange in the maple trees. The trees near wet areas always turn first and some are completely turned. The fields are gorgeous with bright yellow ragweed and purple astors. The full harvest moon on September 4th was second to none. What a great time of year!
September has thus far been good to me. We have been able to fly a lot including a seven day streak of consecutive flights. With about one month left in the season, I pray that it continues. Next weekend we are off to fly in the Adirondack Balloon Festival, my 21st consecutive appearance. I wouldn't miss it. It is truly my "bussman's holiday". If you can make it up to Glens Falls on the 25th - 27th, look us up. We're the balloon that reads "Letchworth" in seven foot white letters! |
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