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