My sponsor was Bauer Chiropractic. Lane (Dr. Crunch) and Julie Bauer. This is my fifth year with Lane and Julie and I couldn't be more content with these nice people. For a golf nut, (one who chases a little ball around a big grass covered park with a big stick in his hand) Lane is a well rounded (I won't go there) gentleman. I don't know when Lane and Julie get started but I know there must be planning that takes place. Between them they pay their sponsorship fee, seek out unsuspecting first timers, pack up coolers with lots of goodies and champagne, remember to remind crew on schedule times, arrange their personal lives, and then come out to an event that leaves us all worn out by Sunday afternoon. This year made three flights again. Because of competition we made only two hops each flight. I was so busy doing the Albuquerque box in Las Cruces both days that I was making longer flights. We had 18 flight crew this year. Going back over the list three of my regular crew didn't get a flight opting to send someone else. Thanks Ed, Dave, and Jarod.
(Left)Great views as we depart the launch site (Right)The weather Saturday looked bad watching the Weather Channel but WHAT DO THEY KNOW?
(Left) We loaded up the first timers (Right) Brianna gets her first ride I believe this is Eds daughter.
(Left) Our flights were slow and (Right) by using the box I was able to keep them interesting giving the flight crew an experience of high and low flying.
(Left)Yeah I forgot everyones name. (Right)I'll never forget the babe in the middle, that's Julie.
(Left)Since we landed on a cut field I saw no need to pick the balloon up to milk it. We got the young and inexperienced to roll the air out.(Right)Standard DOG PILE.
(Left)Our first timer's ceremony for the first day. (Right)For the afternoon flight we take 6 more passengers.
(Left)It is so neat to find all these new people.(Right)My problem is remembering their names.
(Left)Finally someone I know. Here is the boss, Lane Bauer. (Right)I was most pleased with the crew that Lane assembled this year.
(Left)Our Saturday afternoon packup. We landed on an empty lot. (Right)Looking back on the field as we leave on Sunday.
(Left) These next three got some really nice views as the balloons were all bunched together due to lack of air movement (Right). If I remember correctly we had a ground speed of 1.5 to 6 MPH depending on altitude.
(Left)Great people (Right)Great scenery
(Left)Beautiful weather (Right) And lot of balloons.
(Left)Chance has his second balloon flight. He was scouting out the possibility of sky diving from it. (Right)Here is Cathy and her dad.
(Left)Rolling out the balloon (Right)Dog Pile
Our last First Timer Ceremony. Great job everyone. Our flights were lazy ones. Our landings were soft. Our crew caught each landing except one and the pilot got blammed for not using the radio.
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Last Updated January 25, 2004 by Jim Hoidahl
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