Yes, I had my first balloon ride ever thanks to our daughters’ gift of a most exciting “Early Birthday Present”!

The third annual Lake Havasu Balloon Fest brought together huge crowds of both local and out of town visitors. It’s a magical time in OUR HOME TOWN of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Hot Air Balloons grace our beautiful city and lake providing a spectacular, colorful sight for the eye to behold.

I launched aboard The Star Lite, a very colorful star studded balloon with my pilot Peggy Watson-Meinke of Camarillo, California.

The experience began with the preparation of the deflated balloon for our take off. This involved the participation of many crew men along with the pilot in command.

As we are untethered we so slowly float upward like a bird and so part of nature at its finest. We become part of the gentle breeze in a quietness that is very calming as we scan the skies and our city.

It was so fun to watch people running from their homes to wave us on our journey. Our experienced pilot Peggy made the balloon ride an unforgettable happening as we glided above with nary a care in the world.

As landing time was approaching all controlled by the prevailing winds we were targeting the edge of the golf course and cul de sac. Our landing was smooth and attracted the surrounding neighborhood to rush out with their cameras to capture the moment. The Chase Crew arrived at our landing site. Abner and family followed my balloon across town and were right on target to welcome me back to reality.

Wow… I can’t describe the thrill of participating in this primitive sport dating back to 1783. I could almost imagine the same excitement of those who came long before me experiencing “the first free flight by humans”. The calmness is exhilarating as we float along not controlled by heavy duty engines instead a part of the elements and our natural, beautiful world.

Another check off the bucket list! I thank Peggy my great pilot and my family for giving me an experience of a lifetime.

Havasu Balloon Fest evening “Night Glow Event” began with the setting sun. Many, many hot air balloons are inflated after dark and held on the ground shining like Chinese lanterns.

I gathered with family, friends and people of every age. We stood in awe at the lighter than air marvels as they towered high all around us. A perfect ending to a perfect day!

Each year the Lake Havasu Balloon Fest is bigger and better as many volunteers make this event another destination for our city. The Lake Havasu festival and entertainment is well organized by our many local volunteers.

May through November keeps us pretty busy as hosts to campers at our Wagonhammer RV Park. However, the off season winter month allows us to enjoy our own RV camping fun.

This is our third year attending Havasu Balloon Fest with our London Bridge RV Group. This is also our third year parking our RVs at the marina set up especially for this event for the duration of the festival. The excitement of observing right from our doorstep the mass ascension of colorful balloons and adventurous skydivers is breathtaking.

We even had several balloons land right by our rigs. Come join us in Lake Havasu City for our Fourth Annual Havasu Balloon Fest the third weekend of January 2014.

We also hope you will choose Wagonhammer RV Park for an Idaho Vacation to remember!