Early Mornings...

Early morning seminary for the youth has changed my "internal clock". I wake up early naturally now. Of course, years and years of sleep deprivation, and now being able to sleep peacefully each night, may have something to do with it, too. (But there is nothing as sweet as a new baby that needs its mother to cuddle it in the wee hours!)

Anyway, I'm up early now. I have this beautiful sunrise over the mountains each morning into my bedroom. The sun shines right onto my face in the morning, giving me a warm wake up. Very nice. It has motivated me recently to get out and do some early morning hikes, and run around a bit before the children get up.

The other morning, I found out that the local hot ballooners were going to gather that morning and take off together out by the airport. Fun idea. So, I went. It was 6:30 a.m. I am glad I went. I got some beautiful shots, and watched alot of the little children stare in awe at these great big balloons! Mine were with David that day, so I was watching other people's children, which is often so much more relaxing, and you can absorb their faces, and not worry about a thing. It was sweet to watch their eyes widen as the balloons were filled and would lumber up to "stand tall". (I didn't take pictures of the children so their parents didn't glare at me, or wonder--but they were SO cute!)

The sun was rising up behind most of these balloons, which just made it feel even more inspiring. I would watch the people holding the long ropes to keep the balloons from rising up and hitting the neighboring balloon. They all were smiling. As the balloons heated up, they would kinda wobble up and stand as these folks let go of the ropes slowly. It was like watching a big giant wake up and stand and stretch!

Sometimes it would look like they bumped into the one next to them afterall, but it didn't seem to do any harm.

And I would listen to the buzz of the workers as they held the ropes...they all were chattering away. I am guessing most, if not all of them, knew each other, and this is just their own special hobby. They would tolerate those of us that came for the show, but they acted almost like we weren't there.

As they fire up these torches to heat the air in the balloon, the torches make a very loud noise. But, it's cool to watch. I kept wondering how many "rookies" had burned their balloons because they didn't keep the fabric far enough away from the torch. I hope not many.

Before too long (maybe 20 minutes of heating the air), the balloons begin to float a foot or two off the ground. From there the team working on the balloon begins to walk the balloon out to a more open area. It kinda floats along like a great big kid bouncing along next to it's parents (those holding the ropes)! Once it's out in the open area (usually into the middle of the "circle" they tend to set up in), they would let go of the ropes, and those in the basket would fire up the torch, and let it go! It was fun to watch. They ALWAYS waved to those on the ground, like they were taking a long voyage or something. Very fun.

Then one after the other they would lift off. Each one "walking" out into the middle and going up!

And before long they all were flying. Quietly floating. It was fun to see, and to dream. Good Morning!