Hot Air Balloon

The morning sunlight crept through my window to awaken me.  As my eyes gradually opened, I realized I had slept through the entire night.  I felt refreshed and ready to hit the ground.  Today is the day to practice on my presentation for next week in Minneapolis and to pack all the items that will be needed.

In the kitchen, I could smell the coffee aroma and knew it was time for my caffeine fix.  As I looked out into the wetland area and saw the cattails gently moving from the wind, I was thankful for another gorgeous day.

After my quiet time, I put on my tennis shoes and headed to the front door to get my steps in for the day.   As I opened the door, I could feel the crisp, cool air and knew that I would probably need a jacket.

The sun was still coming up over the horizon and the clouds were wispy.  The grass was wet with morning dew.  Cottontails were hopping from here to there.  The Swainson hawks were squawking in the background.  They should be migrating any day now to Argentina.  The swallows were flying all around.

I had only gone a few feet when I looked straight ahead and what do I see in the distance, but a hot air balloon.  I knew it was going to be a beautiful day with a hot air balloon in the sky.  Weather conditions must be close to ideal for hot air balloons to fly.

I don't have the desire to go up in a balloon, but I have always been fascinated with them.  The hot air balloon was the first successful human-carrying flight technology back in 1783.  The balloon consists of a bag that is capable of containing heated air(normally an open flame) with a wicked basket attached to the bag.

Now days, hot air balloons are used mainly for recreation. There are all different shapes and colors of balloons, such as sponge-bob, rockets, castles, animals, etc.  Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest balloon convention in the world, is every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  It is a nine-day event and has over 500 balloons each year.

As I walked my eyes followed the path of the balloon and soon it had drifted out of sight.  By the time I got home, I had walked 5,500 steps.  I knew that the brisk walk would give me the energy that I needed to accomplish all that needed to be done.

Another day of stepping out and shining through!