January in Arizona – Two Floridians trying not to Freeze - COMPLETE - 5-8 About This Page:

[RoonieRooToo]

That sounds so fantastic! We did a star tour when we went to Hawaii. We got to go to the top of Mauna Kea and see the observatories and then spend the evening with some great telescopes.

We'll be dragging our scope out with us on our planned trip next year to the Grand Canyon and to see Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.

The Evening Sky Tours sounds like something we might want to add to our list as they will likely have more powerful scope than the one we travel with. Thanks for the review!

[ilovedisney247]

I love it when you geek out Terri! What a wonderful surprise for Chris! Sorry it was so cold, but it looks really interesting!

[chezp]

Sounds like a wonderful day - and the star tour sounds fun, although I think the cold would've got to me!

[lauriep]

The star tour sounds fantastic.

[Colexis Mom]

Great updates!

[LizardCop]

WOW!!!

Will you adopt me and take me on your trips??? I'll take the pictures!!!

[cubfancolleen]

Great update! My DH (who is a rocket scientist by trade) would love that star tour! Although doing it in Hawaii as another poster mentioned, sounds better to me! How fun to surprise him with these new experiences!!
Looking forward to hearing about the balloon ride!

[Cam22]

Terri, I'm just getting around to your TR and I am finding it so amazing. Luke would love eating at Baby Kay's as for him the hotter the better. I've made a note of it as we've talked of taking Stefanie to see the Grand Canyon some time (she was too little to go with us the first time). The pictures are all great, but my favorites are of Montezuma Castle. Your rooms have been terrific, especially the one with the view of the Red Hills. Your first surprise for Chris was awesome. I have always loved looking at the night sky, but the cold with my arthritis would have cut my time out short, too. Can't wait for more!

[disney_duke]

The rocks that glow under different light? Awesome! My DD would love that. I had thought Jerome was off our list due to kids' boredom, but maybe we should do it anyway.... And I'm so glad to hear about your firsthand experience with Evening Sky Tours! I've been looking at them too for our trip - either them, or drive up to Flagstaff and check out the Lowell Observatory. But I like the idea of staying in Sedona! Wonderful update - thank so much for all the information so far!

[pamcarey]

Great updates! Your meals look delish, and the star tour sounds interesting (although I would hate the cold!). I've never heard of a javelina, so that was interesting.

[DrDolphin]

This morning was the second surprise of the trip for Chris. When we went to Albuquerque for my 20th high school reunion two years ago - we saw hot air balloons out over the West Mesa. Chris was totally impressed and asked me if I had ever been ballooning. I told him I had, numerous time (hey I grew up in Albuquerque... balloon capital of the world) and he said that “some day I want to do that” - I figured someday would involve a trip to see my parents in Albuquerque... but they fly hot air balloons in Arizona too!! So - I searched on the Internet and found Red Rock Balloon Adventures. I booked with them and we were all set for a 620am pick up at the hotel in the morning.

Luckily - we had some breakfast goodies in the room - so we packed up all our of stuff and took it to the Rav4 while nibbling on poptarts! Our balloon ride also included a breakfast after the flight - so we needed something minimal to get us started. After getting all the bags in the car, and checked out of our room (we didn’t know if we’d be back from ballooning by check out time) - we met up with Mark - our van driver and balloon pilot, he already had one couple in the van and we drove to another location to meet more passengers. After loading everyone up in the van - we headed to the launch site outside of town and met up with the second van of passengers. We would have a total of 11 passengers in a 295,000 cubic foot balloon that would normally hold 16 passengers. The pilot and ground crew set up the balloon, we loaded up and were off. This was Chris’ first balloon flight, any my first not working as crew (every other time I flew I was crew).


Setting up the basket

Hooking the envelope to the basket

Unpacking the envelope

Bundled up against the very cold pre-dawn air

Getting ready to turn on the fan

Beginning to inflate the envelope

Making progress on inflation

Inserting the crown (the top) of the envelope

Making good progress on filling the balloon with cold air

Beginning the "burn" to heat the air inside the balloon





Getting ready to stand the basket up


Burning before launch

Checking the radio and GPS

All onboard - getting ready to launch!

We were very close to the pilot and the burners. It was pretty warm there.

Looking up to the top of the envelope

We launched and quickly climbed out of the box canyon we had been in and could see 360 degrees around Sedona and the National Forest


I bounced between video and photos the whole flight





The sun finally starting to rise above the red rocks

I posted an update and photo to Facebook from the balloon - 3,000 feet above the desert!




Mt Humprey in the distance near Flagstaff, the tallest point in Arizona - we would drive past there later in the day

This formation is called "cock's comb"

Chris and I onboard the balloon



Zooming in on Mt. Humprey w/Chris' camera

We flew out of the canyons, and over a wide valley plain where they graze cattle. Our pilot flew lower, hoping to scare some wildlife (deer, anatalope, elk) out of the brush - but instead we saw a few "desert bovines" - cows.


During the whole flight - the pilot would rotate the basket using a vent in the side of the balloon so that everyone got to see everything around them. Our chase crew followed us the whole time, and after about an hour, the pilot began looking for a good landing spot with easy access for the crew.



There is our chase crew - and we landed right next to that old beat up toyota truck.
Coming down for our landing was very nice and smooth -


Our landing was so soft and easy - balloonists refer to it as a "catch and carry " landing - since the crew can physically catch the balloon and walk it to where they want to deflate it.

Popping the vent in the envelope to let the hot air out

Back in the loving arms of mother earth (part of the balloonists prayer)

The crew making sure the balloon didn't land on the truck

Chris was enamored with the truck it reminded him of his first toyota...


After we landed, the crew packed up the balloon and we drove to a picnic area for breakfast -

We were told the story of how ballooning got started in France and why balloonists always carry a bottle (or a few) of champagne.


We had a mimosa toast, and Chris caught the cork to the champagne bottle - and the pilot turned it into a little balloon.

After breakfast - we loaded up into the van, I paid for our flights (as well as a sweatshirt and baseball cap) and we were taken back to the Hilton. We had a WONDERFUL time and I hope that we can go ballooning again in the near future - maybe with friends in Albuquerque!!

Next - Chapel of the Rocks - and the Scenic Route

[cubfancolleen]

GREAT pics from the balloon ride!! When did you tell Chris you were doing that, and was he surprised?!

[chezp]

What a wonderful surprise! You got some wonderful photos from the flight.

[Colexis Mom]

Great update!

[lauriep]

Awesome surprise! You got some incredible shots.