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Annual Hot Air Balloon Rally

(Pittsfield, NH)

 

Most of you know we sponsor a Hot Air Balloon every August in Pittsfield, NH. We make a weekend out of and include several family gatherings.

 

 

We have lots of good pictures of the event but still seem to take more.

 

That is my youngest grandson in the yellow shirt waving as they start up with a blast from the propane tank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A trip to NH would not be complete with out a trip to the former family farm in Gilmanton.

 

 

 

 

 

The people who purchased the 200 year old house from the Carlsons, though they promised to restore it, actually ended up tearing it down and built a big brick house. Here they met the new owner.

 

 

The trip to the farm always  involves discussing where the original house was in relation to what is there now.  "Isn't that the tree that was in front of the living room window?" That is getting harder to do that since trees are getting bigger/older and some have been removed. Also, other houses are being built on the original property plus there are other changes.

 

 

 

 

This shows the pump, which in itself, draws great discussion (being original location - or not).  Here you can see the deep discussion about the pump location with my husband, his brother and the newest owner. This owner is very interested in the history of the property and was pleased to listen to the stories making everyone very happy.

 

 

 

 

We did have some good flights (except Saturday evening when it was too windy). Here is a view from our balloon up in the air.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And just landing "The Irish Rover" in a field getting ready to pack it up for the next flight.

 

 

 

A few years ago, I made a video of the "process" of launching the balloon we sponsor. You can see it by clicking here if you would like.

 

 

 

Balloon Rally Part 2

Balloon Rally

Part 2

 

 

 

We just returned from our Balloon Weekend trip. (If you missed the slide show from last week's post you can still see it here.)

 

We had a great time. Only one of the 4 flights was canceled due to bad weather and that was not really "bad" - just too windy for flying,  plus there were a few thunder storms in the larger area. ;-)

 

 

 

 

Here is a picture from Friday evening. See the full moon right behind the smaller appearing balloon on the right?

 

 

On Sunday morning, most flew but our pilot was not too happy with the winds up high and we elected to stay on the ground for a change and just watch. That is a view we often don't get as we are busy setting up, "chasing" and folding up the balloon. I think our pilot really enjoyed watching others.

 

 

 

 

I was able to get some great pictures, especially of the balloons hovering over the Suncook River next to the field. A skill that pilots love to try is called "kissing" the water. You try to get as close or even touch the water without getting too close.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a close up of the balloon over the river. You can see some of the ripples showing he "did it" just as he approached the bridge in time to rise over the bridge (plus the reflection of the balloon in both pictures).

 

This balloon is named "Unnamed" and the pilot is Paul DePew from Litchfield, ME. We never figured out if the balloon was really named "Unnamed" or if the balloon really did not have a name.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One other nice thing that happened. My sister-in-law took me to the Barnstead Community Market. They have only been open for 3 months but have a very nice collection of local crafters. Now, they have local vegetables, too. Long story short, even though I'm not local they liked my jewelry enough to give me an application to have some of my pieces in the store. (I had my handy-dandy Ring by Ring Designs bag in the car)

 

Yay! So, I'll need to get busy making some new things to send up to NH. They are located right off busy Rt 28, the road leading to Lake Winnipesaukee.

 

 

Until next week,

 

Bev

30th Annual Balloon Rally Pittsfield, NH

30th Annual Balloon Rally

  Pittsfield, NH

 

 

 

Not sure if any of you would notice but this post is late. (I usually have the post sent at 5:00 AM on Tuesday morning. It is now past 10 AM and I'm just starting.)

 

We were away this past weekend. Some of you know that the first weekend in August is the Pittsfield, NH Balloon Rally. We go up on Thursday and come back Monday so we miss the the weekend traffic. Several of you have even flown with us.

Anyhow, being away for an extended weekend has put me behind in both making new designs and writing my weekly post. But we had lots of fun and enjoyed our 16th Rally (out of 30) It is tradition in the Carlson Family. The sponsorship has extended to be Carlson Family and Friends. Everyone helps "crew" and "chase".  That is almost as much fun as flying. Lots of stories ....

 

 

The balloon we have sponsored for the last 10 years is the Irish Rover. Flights are dependent on the weather. One year, no one when up at all. Not fun. This year it was 50 %. We went up Friday night and then Saturday morning. (It was too windy Saturday night and it rained Sunday morning) The Saturday morning flight was great. Went up and landed, swapped passengers and went up again. We had several "first timers" who always get special treatment. (Baptized with champagne after the flight) No one seems to mind after the experience of flying in a balloon!

 

 

I did not take many pictures this year since I left my camera where we were staying but last year I made a little Power Point video and you can watch it here.

It shows the whole procedure of inflating the balloon up until it gets packed up, ready for the next flight.

 

I hope you enjoy it. 

Until next week,

 

Bev

 

Website http://ringbyringdesigns.com

Energizer Hot Hare Balloon

Each year the Pittsfield, NH Hot Air Balloon Rally has something special. This year it is the Energizer Hot Hare Balloon. The first time it was inflated, we did not see it as we were chasing the Irish Rover. But Saturday evening we decided not to chase and watched as the balloon was inflated.

Because it is so big, they waited until most of the other balloon left the field. I've watched lots of balloons set up and take off. This balloon was a bit different.

First, they lay out a very large tarp to protect the balloon. Most of the smaller ones don't bother as it is just one more thing to have to pack up and usually they don't have the extra hands that this one does. Actually, we think that they recruit local people to help with some of the chores.

Anyhow, next, they lay the balloon out on the tarp. With gloves on and bare feet people walk all over the balloon ( a real no-no with smaller balloons) spreading out the various parts of the balloon. Most balloons are just one piece and easier to handle.




It takes a long time to inflate Energizer.







I took a series of pictures for that and you can see them all here. Energizer Hot Hare Balloon pictures

OK, now back to jewelry posts on Monday. Til then.

B


www.bevsjewelry.com and www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com

Balloon Rally Part 3 - Good landing

There are 4 possible balloon launches at the Pittsfield, NH Balloon Rally. Friday evening it rained. No launch. Saturday morning was a great flight. See blog post 8/4/09. Saturday evening was also good.

The last scheduled flight, Sunday morning, poses a special problem. Mornings are usually damp and dewy. The fact that the weather has been very rainy lately just added to the dampness. Plus fields are not mowed yet. One thing balloon pilots do not want to do is put a wet balloon away. Mold, you know. That would mean that in the next few days, if not sooner, they would have to lay the balloon out and dry it off.

That said, our pilot looked for a nice dry place to land on Sunday morning. One of the great things about the Pittsfield Balloon Rally is the cooperation of the local Police Department. One year our pilot accidentally dropped his two-way phone in the grass getting out of the balloon. That meant he lost contact with the chase vehicle. Word spread, however and the police found them and the chase vehicle and everyone got together - all was well.


Several times the best landing place is right on Rt 28 bypass, a fairly busy local road. When a balloon gets in that situation, the Pittsfield Police will stop traffic so the balloon can land safely. This requires lots of help from the crew so that traffic is not stopped for very long. That was our balloon pilot's choice on Sunday morning this year.





As part of the crew, my daughter and I were parked along side the road and saw many people waiting in their cars. Many were very concerned seeing a balloon and lots of blue flashing lights. We assured them that things were fine and that the balloon landed in the road on purpose.

Gets a little exciting but very safe - just watch out for the electric wires. We have a very competent pilot!

The rush is on to wrap things up quickly as the concerned people can suddenly get impatient.






With everything wrapped up, it is back to the field for the Champagne Breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and yes, champagne.

One of the traditions is to "welcome" new pilots with bottles champagne.





Everyone is a good sport and all have a lot of fun, even the wet ones.

So, that was the Pittsfield Hot Air Balloon Rally for 2009. I hope you enjoyed the "tour".

Tomorrow, I'll have the last balloon pictures of one of the biggest balloons, the Energizer Hot Hare Balloon. He was such fun to watch.

I'll be back to jewelry themes Monday.


B


www.bevsjewelry.com and www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com

Balloon Rally - Part 1

We just returned from a great Hot Air Balloon Rally in Pittsfield, NH. We have sponsored a balloon (sometimes 2) for the last 15 years or so. Flights are very weather dependant and this year we were lucky to get 3 out of 4 flights.

We sponsor the Irish Rover with pilot Ted O'Hara. The first scheduled launch was Friday evening but it rained. Thus no flight. We did enjoy the supper of baked chicken, potato salad and green beans. Dessert was a brownie and ice cream. These dinners are put on by the Rotary people who work extremely hard for the whole weekend. Much appreciated even with out a flight! Thanks.

This picture is from the Saturday morning flight. We almost didn't make it to the field as our alarm didn't go off. My husband's brother woke us at 5 AM and we rushed to the field.




We hurried to get the basket out and start with the procedure of getting the balloon ready.





The balloon envelope gets spread out on the field ready for inflation. Inflation is started with a large fan blowing into the bottom of the envelope.




When the balloon is upright, get ready to jump in the basket as you'll miss out otherwise.





Then up, up and away!





Next and sometimes the most fun, is landing.




This part of the flight was to just land and change people in the balloon and they took off again. Tomorrow, I'll show how the landing went. Stay tuned.


B

www.bevsjewelry.com and www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com