Hot Air Balloon Festival

Two years ago around this time of year, I volunteered to work at the hot air balloon fest. Then, I volunteered to go for a hot air balloon ride. However, I did not volunteer for a hot air balloon wreck, but that is just what happened.

After a few scares with power lines and steers, the young pilot slammed down, not once, but three times. On the third slam, she tumbled out, her hindside landing squarely on a cactus patch while Stephen Patterson and I were sandwiched on top of each other and had to wriggle out of the cramped basket, while frantically trying to put out the flames that threatened to tear through the overgrown field, left parched from the summer drought.
It. Was. Awesome.

This year, I opted for the balloon glow. It was a spectacular fall night, unfortunately, it was too windy for the balloons. Instead, the baskets did synchronized burns and let kids climb in the baskets and burn.

There was also a kite show! "Who choreographs kites to music?" you may ask. According to the MC, they are a group of "kite enthusiasts" out of Austin called "End of the Line." Clever, no? Here is one of the songs they did. Tonight, the kites were lined with lights.