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