Thursday, July 23, 2009 8:37:52 AM - Middletown Ohio
Story And Photo By: Randy Lewis
Sunday, July 19, 2009 was the last day for the balloon launch at Smith Park. There were close to 40 balloons in the air that morning taking part in the last challenge of the year (tossing a bean bag on to an X on the ground) but the real show came after I was leaving the park.
As I drove home that morning I noticed hot air balloons landing all over town, literally wherever they could find a spot. Most landed at a church on Riverview Drive or in that area, but some just dropped in yards and on side streets.
One balloon company, Belle Balloons out of Lebanon, Ohio had the best landing I had seen. They chose a side street of Breiel Boulevard, Stanford Drive. I followed the balloon and watched as they got stuck in a tree. I had to stop taking pictures and help one of the workers (he was the only one) pull the balloon away from the tree.
I took a lot of pictures and hope you enjoy them.
Archived Comments
7/25/2009 5:58:52 AM
Dan M
Nice article and great pictures. I just have one correction. I'm a crew mwmber for that balloon company and we were not "stuck" in the tree. Where you see trees we see "brakes". The pilot slowed the basket in the tree top and a dropline was deployed to the ground crewman and we descended into a safe, intended, controlled text-book dropline landing. We prefer nice open fields or lawns but sometimes conditions dictate such a landing. It was a great day and Middletown hosted a great event. Thanks!
