Napa Valley Aloft Hot Air Ballon Ride

[Scheria]

Napa Valley Aloft Hot Air Ballon

This has been on my bucket list of things to do for many years. It was truly an amazingly healing experience. I decided to face my fear of heights while honoring loved ones who recently passed away. Here’s how it went down.

In remembrance of family members who recently passed away, I decided to bring a little something that made me remember several family members on this hot air balloon ride (obituaries , t-shirt). We had to be there at 0500 so the self care day trip started before sunrise. There were plenty of street signs to direct drivers traveling to the correct spot for registration and take-off. A nice continental breakfast awaited us right before we gathered for group assignments as well as instructions. It was amazing to watch as each ballon with a maximum capacity for 12 individuals was set up (see the video below). The large basket was made up of six compartments with room for 2-3 people based on weight. They had a small ladder available for those of us with bad knees to help safely climb into each compartment. We soon met our very experienced pilot with many years of napa valley air flight under his belt. He guided us along the path giving rare history of each winery we passed over. The air was crisp and clear for one of a kind views of the Napa Valley Wine Country. Everything looks so very different from above. The birds eye view can help create precious teachable moments from within. We learned each flight is unique based on the speed and direction of the wind which can change directions moment by moment. We found this out in real time as we attempted our first landing. The wind changed directions a few feet away from the ground causing the balloon to shift carrying us right back into the air. Our skilled pilot was eventually able to safely land us next to Highway 29 partially on the Napa Valley Wine Train tracks. I had no idea of the many hands of tedious trained labor, wind factors and ground coordination that goes into setting up and landing hot air balloons safely. Bravo and well done to this industry of dedicated folks.

Amazing View #1

Amazing view #2

Amazing view #3

Our group was driven by escort to a location serving beautiful champagne buffet breakfast after landing with my obituaries of loved ones passed away too soon

Napa Vally Aloft’s response to my review (inspired by @AdamGT article here)

Check out this short video of our hot air balloon being set up with live views of the Napa Valley

That’s it for now. Now it’s your turn. Have you done a hot air balloon ride activity? Thinking about it? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Until next time…

Keep smiling,

Scheria

[PrasadVR]

Thank you @Scheria for sharing your experience in detail. It’s very interesting. Curious to know how many hours were you in the hot air balloon ?

[Scheria]

Hi @PrasadVR ! Great question. Thanks for asking. I actually asked the pilot a very similar question during take off. He said everything depends on the wind. Im told we had good wind factors on this day so we were in the air about an hour or so.

Keep smiling,

Scheria

[Annaelisa]

@Scheria

Es sind wunderschöne Aufnahmen aus dem Ballon von der Landschaft und auf jeden Fall ein unvergessliches Erlebnis.

Ich selbst bin noch nicht mit einem Ballon gefahren.

Bei unserer 3 wöchigen Rundreise durch den Westen der USA von Los Angeles über San Francisco usw. haben wir unzählige Ballons beobachten können, eine wunderschöne bunte Himmelsgeschichte.

Danach habe ich öfters daran gedacht so eine Ballonfahrt zu unternehmen.

Ich habe auch keine Höhenangst.

[Scheria]

@Annaelisa thanks so much. Sounds like you had a good trip to the USA. I think perhaps you would enjoy this experience. Do they have anything like this where you are?

[TiffanyStockstill]

@Scheria , thanks for sharing and your images are premium.

[JustJake]

This is beautiful, @Scheria . Not only the scenery from your amazing photos and video but also the sentiment behind the trip. I hope it helped you to heal. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us.

[Scheria]

@user_not_found this is a very high compliment coming from you because your ability to capture a photo moment is amazing. I appreciate you!

Keep smiling,

Scheria

[Scheria]

Thanks @JustJake ! Mourning the loss of those we love can be a hard road. This turned into a much-needed day of healing. I came away with a refreshed heart and mind. Praying you and your growing family are well.

Scheria

[Annaelisa]

@Scheria

Aus anderen Regionen in Deutschland schon, hier im hohen Norden zwischen Ostsee und Nordsee scheinbar nicht.

Vielleicht liegt es an den Wind-Verhältnissen hier bei uns.

[TerryPG]

Great photos and videos @Scheria I have always wanted to try a Hot Air Balloon Ride but I think I have been too much of a chicken. I also love the back story behind the trip. Good for you.

[NareshDarji]

Awesome post! Soaring in a balloon sounds amazing, especially for honouring your loved ones.

Glad you faced your fear and had a peaceful trip. @Scheria

[Scheria]

@NareshDarji @TerryPG thanks so much. It was an amazing experience. Glad to finally check this off my bucket list. I hope you’re able to try this soon for yourselves. Highly recommend!

Keep smiling,

Scheria

[Scheria]

@Annaelisa I hops you can try it soon one day.

[Maximilianozalazar]

@Scheria que genial experiencia, fue genial leerlo.

[malhazza]

جميل جدا يستحق التجربة مع الإطلالات الجميلة