A most interesting afternoon. We went to the Ford Trucks Red, White and Blue Polo and Balloon Festival. We'd never seen hot air balloons before and the whole process was amazing. The crew vehicle, drove over the field with the folded balloon ( envelope ) being laid out behind them a foot at a time or it was dragged along in the basket by 2 people laying it out. The tether ropes stretched out in front making this even longer. They needed at least 6 crew and were short so asked for help to pull the cloth out the sides to lay out the shaped figure. I helped pull out the Energizer Bunny which weighs 1200 lbs and is 166 ft. tall, as big as a 16 story building, when inflated. His shoes are size 98 EEEEE. The gondola, a wicker/rattan basket, holding pilot, passengers and propane tanks is laid on it's side as large inflation fans inflate the balloon on the ground and the burners then heat the air inside to make the balloon rise. Most balloon, basket etc weigh 350 - 450 lbs. The Lead balloon was launched first with an American flag to honor the Marines from 29 Palms serving in the war. When the crew gets the balloon up, it follows the air current and the rest of the crew jumps in the chase vehicle, driving down the roads to follow the balloon and pack up the balloon with the crew when they set down wherever they can and bring them home.
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