Hot Air Balloon Ride: A Perfect Gift
When you want to give a gift that will be remembered, consider
giving a gift certificate for a hot air balloon ride or other
soaring adventures. Humans have always craved the freedom of
flight, and balloon rides, glider rides, or skydiving are sure
to be gifts that will thrill your recipients.
A hot air balloon ride typically has room for one, two, three,
four, or more passengers, depending upon the size of the gondola
(the basket). Usually a crew chief will take your friend or
friends to a launch site where the balloon is being inflated.
After the balloon is inflated and everyone is in the gondola,
the balloon gently ascends to between 500 and 1,000 feet. It
travels above the treetops and below the clouds for about an
hour, covering five or ten miles. Upon landing, it's typical to
adhere to an old French tradition of celebrating with a
champagne toast as the balloon is being rolled up. The entire
experience takes about three hours.
A glider ride can take several forms. Some gliders are equipped
with dual-controlled joysticks, so a single rider can take the
controls from the pilot for a short time and actually fly the
glider. These glider rides are typically a series of two or
three take-offs, flights, and landings, and usually last about
an hour and a half. Another type of glider ride takes the rider
up one mile in the air, where they can enjoy a smooth, quiet,
peaceful ride with views of spectacular scenery. Other gliders
have more room, so that two riders can accompany the pilot for a
beautiful flight.
For the truly adventuresome, tandem skydiving makes the perfect
gift. Typically, the novice and the instructor board the jump
plane and climb to between 10,000 and 13,000 feet. Signals are
given and the novice exits the aircraft harnessed to his or her
instructor. The free-fall is a rush and the feeling of flying is
breathtaking. Then, the chute is opened and the two float to
earth together.
Soaring adventures make a wonderful gift, but they can also
create memorable bonding experiences. A hot air balloon ride on
your first wedding anniversary can be incredibly romantic and
exciting. Likewise, a hot air balloon ride can provide the
perfect backdrop for a reunion of close friends or classmates.
Whatever the occasion, soaring adventures can put the wind
beneath your wings.