CART
April 2007
The thing that freaks most people out about ballooning is the silence. Simply
put, there’s no other form of flight that lets you float in the wind without
making a sound. 
Oh, you hear the birds, or
the hum of the vineyards breathing below, the odd car driving past on a winding
country road in the distance. Other than that, it’s just the ooh’s and aah’s of
your fellow passengers, staring at the remarkable beauty of southern
California’s Temecula region. Then you’ll hear the jet blast of heat that your
pilot releases into the colorful balloon above your head. You feel the warmth on
your back of your neck like a reassuring hug, telling you everything is exactly
as it should be. 
Balloons only fly early morning or late afternoon because of air
currents, and this suits this Banana perfectly. It makes for fantastic pictures
(make sure your memory card is empty), and a delicious champagne breakfast or
dinner at the end. Take-off and landings are as gentle as the speed, and like
sailing, there’s something zen about being at the mercy of the elements, as
pilots only control altitude and not direction. We all dream of flying, and
ballooning is the most romantic, peaceful and downright civilized way of doing
so.
Perfect For: Anniversaries, Birthdays
A Review by Robin Esrock - International Travel Writer and Adventurer see Modern Gonzo.com
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