| While small, ordinary balloons can be | | | | race as the focus. But many of these |
| entertaining, true wonder is had when one | | | | festivals are more than just places to race. |
| actually rides in a hot air balloon. These | | | | Most festivals also have the opportunity for |
| large balloons work in a completely different | | | | rides. Attendees can pay money to be taken up |
| way, needing a constant flow of hot air | | | | in a hot air balloon. For many people, this |
| pumped into their large balloons. Most large | | | | is a thrilling adventure. It is safer than |
| hot air balloons have big baskets suspended | | | | sky diving hang gliding, but it allows you to |
| beneath. These baskets can be used to carry | | | | feel a real sense of flight. It is not like |
| people who wish to ride in the hot air | | | | being in a plane, where you have no contact |
| balloon. | | | | with the air, and you are removed from your |
| | | | experience by a barrier of steel and glass. |
| Many people have ridden in hot air balloons | | | | |
| over the centuries. Before there were planes | | | | However, one does not need to wait for a hot |
| and hang gliders, there were hot air | | | | air balloon festival to enjoy a ride on a hot |
| balloons. When humans first began to take to | | | | air balloon. Many companies are cropping up |
| the skies with any regularity, they used hot | | | | all around the country that offer hot air |
| air balloons. In fact, many early parachute | | | | balloon rides for a variety of occasions. You |
| dare devils performed their feats out of hot | | | | can sight see in a hot air balloon. There are |
| air balloons, since there were no planes for | | | | hot air balloon tours that can take you out |
| them to jump from. There have even been | | | | over the Grand Canyon. Imagine interacting |
| around the world flights in such balloons. | | | | with nature in such a manner! Or, if colored |
| The famous book, Around the World in Eighty | | | | leaves are your cup of tea, you can take fall |
| Days, makes use of a hot air balloon for the | | | | leaf sight seeing tours over various New |
| hero. | | | | England states in hot air balloons. And many |
| | | | of these companies do not limit themselves to |
| Today, there are hot air balloon races that | | | | simply providing tours. They also offer a |
| combine the wonder of flying in the sky, open | | | | surprising amount of amenities. You can fly |
| to the air, with the excitement of a race. | | | | over the Grand Canyon at sunset, and then |
| One the most famous hot air balloon races | | | | have the balloon set you down at a specially |
| takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, every | | | | prepared romantic picnic, complete with |
| year. Smaller races, like the one in Driggs, | | | | champagne. Companies in the east offer |
| Idaho, also take place all over the country. | | | | similar options for fall leaf tours. You can |
| Such races are usually accompanied by games | | | | be set down in the midst of a local vineyard |
| on the ground, spectacular views, and good | | | | and enjoy a wine tasting before floating back |
| entertainment. Many locales turn the entire | | | | to your car. |
| day into a hot air balloon festival, with the | | | | |