31st annual Hudson valley hot-air balloon festival
TYMOR PARK, UNION VALE, NEW YORK. SEPTEMBER 2-4, 2022
When we think about hot-air balloons, the mind conjures images of Jules Verne, The Wizard of Oz, The Aeronauts, His Dark Materials, The Great Wall, and list goes on and on. The point I’m making is that we think of the subject in the unreal, virtual reality or fantasy of the movies, when the first hot-air balloon was flown in 1783. Yep, this is one of those Believe It or Not pieces. The record states that the Montgolfier brothers created a balloon which was flown by two frenchmen on November 21, 1783, in Paris, France. Apparently, another frenchman (Jean Pierre Blanchard) manned the first hot-air balloon in the Americas in 1793.
Not sure how the first balloons were propelled, but the record states that the first hot-air balloons with an onboard heat source was developed by Ed Yost in 1950, which resulted in the first modern day flight in 1960. The point I’m making is that hot-air balloons is nothing new; it’s been around for a minute or two. Lots of hot air balloon festivals happen around the world in places like Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Reno, Quebec (Canada), Bristol (England), Readington (NJ), Igualiada (Spain), Lorraine (France), Chateau-d’Oex (Switzerland), Taitung City (Taiwan), Saga (Japan), and Canberra (Australia).
The one I attended in the Hudson Valley was tiny compared other places. We had about 12 or so hot air balloons in the air, but at the one being held later in Glen Falls, NY, they are projecting to have over 75 hot air balloons filling the heavens. I don’t know the exact number for the ones held in Albuquerque, but I’m sure it will probably eclipse the Glen Falls venture. I was amazed by just being able to stand in the middle of these fantastic machines and watch them, effortlessly, take off and disappear into the sky. I can not even imagine what the feeling would be at the larger events.
I’m, totally, afraid of heights, but after hearing the comments from some of the first-time hot-balloon travelers with the same phobias, who made the trip and loved it, despite their phobia, I am encouraged to take the leap of faith at the next hot-air balloon festival.
Not sure how the first balloons were propelled, but the record states that the first hot-air balloons with an onboard heat source was developed by Ed Yost in 1950, which resulted in the first modern day flight in 1960. The point I’m making is that hot-air balloons is nothing new; it’s been around for a minute or two. Lots of hot air balloon festivals happen around the world in places like Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Reno, Quebec (Canada), Bristol (England), Readington (NJ), Igualiada (Spain), Lorraine (France), Chateau-d’Oex (Switzerland), Taitung City (Taiwan), Saga (Japan), and Canberra (Australia).
The one I attended in the Hudson Valley was tiny compared other places. We had about 12 or so hot air balloons in the air, but at the one being held later in Glen Falls, NY, they are projecting to have over 75 hot air balloons filling the heavens. I don’t know the exact number for the ones held in Albuquerque, but I’m sure it will probably eclipse the Glen Falls venture. I was amazed by just being able to stand in the middle of these fantastic machines and watch them, effortlessly, take off and disappear into the sky. I can not even imagine what the feeling would be at the larger events.
I’m, totally, afraid of heights, but after hearing the comments from some of the first-time hot-balloon travelers with the same phobias, who made the trip and loved it, despite their phobia, I am encouraged to take the leap of faith at the next hot-air balloon festival.
Note to the wise: If you're like me, you will have to pinch yourself every now and then on a trip like this, just to remind yourself that you're not in another state or another country-- You're still in New York state. In the past, if you had mentioned the name Poughkeepsie to me, I might have thought about upstate, but it would have still been a kind of a blank slate, and my mind would have meandered to movies like Ally McBeal and the French Connection. In other words, Poughkeepsie only existed in the movies and surely wasn't a real destination. Alas, I was mistaken. It exists. It's friendly. It's quaint and quiet, and I will probably return at some point in the future.
There is no way to know in advance where a hot air balloon will land, which is why every pilot has a "Chaser",
which is a crew in a truck or van, that tracks the balloon's movement. Maya's flight found a deserted field
covered in prickly weeds, which begs the question of selecting the proper attire for each ride. This is not the
time for shorts and not the time for your tux or evening gown. Save that for the movie version. LOL
which is a crew in a truck or van, that tracks the balloon's movement. Maya's flight found a deserted field
covered in prickly weeds, which begs the question of selecting the proper attire for each ride. This is not the
time for shorts and not the time for your tux or evening gown. Save that for the movie version. LOL
I was relaxing, on .a phone call with a friend, when I noticed one of the hot air balloons
had taken off. That was it for the telephone call. I was off to the races and just in time to
capture the rest of these fabulous flights. Being in the middle of the mix was
like a walk in the park, but more exciting. Needless to say, a great day was had by all.
had taken off. That was it for the telephone call. I was off to the races and just in time to
capture the rest of these fabulous flights. Being in the middle of the mix was
like a walk in the park, but more exciting. Needless to say, a great day was had by all.
Afraid of heights, but perhaps, no more...
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Family values in progress on the Zeus Brewery rooftop...
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I couldn't leave Poughkeepsie without bidding adieu with a homage a la drone.
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It's 0530 hrs on Saturday and where is she? On the grounds getting ready to fly with the birds momentarily.
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How could I leave upstate & a stay in Kerhonkson without getting in the air one more time?
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Photography by CYNTHIA CARNEY JOHNSON: