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