Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Bulbous Flight Contraptions

The Great Reno Balloon Races were last weekend. Leaving our neighborhood for a run last week, Ethel and I spied a balloon rig and struck up a conversation with the owners, Orval and Bo. They told us that we could help them out Saturday or Sunday if we came out, so we obliged and got to learn just what it takes to get a balloon in the air.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

First to light up at Dawn Patrol

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
The whole Dawn Patrol contingent

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
The basket, no balloon attached

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Playing with fire, but not like Burning Man

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

The balloon on the ground

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Neighbor balloon inflating

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
AT-6 fly-by

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Eager crew

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Orval tells me to stick the camera in here. Yes sir!

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Another Orval-recommended shot

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Rarely seen view: underneath the balloon, spreading the fabric out

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Orval, minutes before launch

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Last bit of motivation

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
And he's off

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Neighbor balloon reaches critical density

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Looking up

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Looking up, but with Ethel

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
I'll spare the cliche

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
Lots of 'em

Thanks to Orval and Bo for letting us help out!

Past Detritus