In April of 2007, My wife, Kate, was listening to the radio and called into a radio station contest and won a hot air balloon ride for two in the Napa Valley. The Napa Valley is known for superb flying conditions and we were very excited and made plans for a June flight.

When the day of the ride came we left our hotel early in the morning, just before sunrise to travel to the meeting place in a field. The balloon pilot and his crew were setting up the equipment and, as we watched the balloon fill up we munched some pastries and sipped our coffee.

Finally all was ready and we stepped into the basket and joined two other equally eager couples. The ballasts were jettisoned and we gently lifted off of the ground. As we swayed with the breezes just above the treetops we felt the balloon slightly change direction. As we rose in elevation, the view became spectacular!

About twenty minutes into our flight we noticed the crew working very hard and talking on their radios. It soon became apparent that we were not on our intended course. Our concern grew as the wind increased and we seemed to be headed for the hills. [Read more...]