| They glide effortlessly over the Michigan | | | | I-96 (exit # 155) about 2 1/2 hours before |
| countryside, floating in baskets made of | | | | sunset. From there we'll launch helium |
| rattan and wicker suspended beneath a | | | | balloons, determine the wind direction, then |
| colossal seven-story bag of hot air. The | | | | take a short drive to one of nine launch |
| occasional blast from their burners is the | | | | sites in the area that give the best views |
| only sounds from these magnificent creations | | | | and best landing sites downwind. Oh yeah, the |
| which seem to defy gravity. Up there, | | | | landing. Sometimes the landing can be like |
| balloonists hear deer sprinting through the | | | | taking an elevator ride and others can be a |
| woods before they see them. They spot fish | | | | little more exciting that's why great care is |
| swimming in the lakes and ponds just outside | | | | taken in making the 'go' or 'no-go' decision |
| the reach of anglers who desperately seek | | | | on each flight based upon the weather. What |
| them. It's an incredible experience. And | | | | to wear? I suggest passengers wear tennis |
| those who operate hot air balloons in | | | | shoes and jeans. The air temp "upstairs" is |
| Michigan love to share it with anyone daring | | | | within a couple degrees of ground temp so its |
| enough to take flight. As an avid hot air | | | | not a factor. Cameras and video cameras are |
| balloon pilot since 1982 and fan of | | | | highly reccomended to preserve the once in a |
| Michigan's natural wonders, I've been | | | | lifetime moments while flying over the |
| fortunate to see the beauty of Michigan from | | | | countryside. Flights cost $695 for a private |
| a slightly above the treetops.Just about | | | | ride which is two passengers and the pilot. |
| every year we fly directly over a great blue | | | | All flights are pre-paid. Visa, MasterCard, |
| heron rookery located on an island in | | | | AMEX, Discover and PayPal are accepted. Gift |
| Kensington Park's Kent Lake near Milford. | | | | certificates are available. For large parties |
| It's pretty incredible to see dozens of these | | | | and families I recommend the Wicker Basket |
| giant birds with their six-foot wing spans | | | | Balloon Center of Wixom, Their balloon basket |
| hovering around their nests. We've peered | | | | is able to accommodate up to 6 passengers |
| down directly into their bushel basket sized | | | | with special group rates. Balloonist and |
| nests with one or two eggs. I flew an | | | | owner Gordon Boring is one of the most |
| Ornithologist from the University of Michigan | | | | experienced commercial pilots in Michigan and |
| a few years ago and he helped me identify | | | | has trained dozens of pilots, including me.To |
| dozens of birds by sight and sound. Now I | | | | really appreciate all that Michigan has to |
| recognize the sweet call of Sand Hill Cranes | | | | offer, call a balloonist and schedule a |
| half a mile away and tell my passengers to | | | | flight today, because if you seek a pleasant |
| keep an eye out for them. I am fortunate to | | | | peninsula, look around you the view is |
| meet some incredible people in my business | | | | better from above.Westwind Balloon Company- |
| and learn something from every flight. In | | | | Plymouth, MI, Flying over Kensington Park, |
| fact, I flew the Chief Meteorologist from Ann | | | | Brighton, South Lyon and Milford. |
| Arbor's Weather Underground. Considering hot | | | | 734-667-2098 Scott Lorenz, Pilot and |
| air ballooning is 100% weather related I | | | | Owner.Wicker Basket Balloon Center - Wixom, |
| thoroughly enjoyed our discussions about the | | | | MI Also flies over Flying over Kensington |
| nuances of Michigan weather at sunrise and | | | | Park, Brighton, South Lyon and Milford. |
| sunset. Last year I had the pleasure of | | | | 248-624-5137. Gordon Boring, Pilot and |
| flying local FOX-2 Detroit TV personality | | | | Owner.Here's a 2007 Schedule of Michigan Hot |
| Lila Lazarus along with a passenger whose | | | | Air Balloon Events for this summerJune 16 -17 |
| last wish was to fly in a balloon, all of | | | | Celebrate Charlotte Festival 2006, Charlotte, |
| which was all caught on tape by the FOX-2 | | | | MIContact the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce |
| helicopter in hot pursuit. Legendary Detroit | | | | at: 517-543-0400 22 - 24th Michigan |
| guitarist Josh White even brought his guitar | | | | Challenge XXII, Howell, MIContact: Howell |
| along for a concert in the air. There's never | | | | Area Chamber: 517-546-3920 ( Look for pilot |
| a dull moment in this business.What's the | | | | Gordon Boring at this event)June 29-July 4 |
| best time to go? Hot air balloons fly in | | | | Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and |
| Michigan May thru October, springtime is | | | | Balloon Festival Contact: 269-962-0592 |
| nice, but summer's pretty cool too and you | | | | Featuring 60 Balloons and the Blue Angels ( |
| can't beat the fall colors in October. So, | | | | Look for pilot Scott Lorenz at this |
| I'd say, Spring, Summer and Fall!Most balloon | | | | event)July 14 -15 The 25th Jackson Hot Air |
| rides last about one hour and I fly over the | | | | Jubilee, Jackson, MI Contact: 517-782-1515 or |
| woods and streams of Kensington Park along | | | | July 21 - 22 Balloon Classic Seven Lakes |
| with several other pilot friends who all meet | | | | State Park, Fenton, MIContact: Balloon Quest, |
| at a Park 'n Ride area off Milford Road and | | | | Inc. |