I have always wanted to fly a hot air balloon and finally decided to take a lesson. It was a lot more interesting and fun than anticipated! The most surprising part of the flight was how close my instructor was willing to let us fly to the ground and in between trees, houses, and neighborhoods. How fun to be just a few feet above obstacles and often well below roof lines slowly drifting through people's back yards! We took off from a small Sandy, Utah park with 13 other balloons during a small balloon festival and had a great 1:06 hour flight. The closest I had ever been to a hot air balloon before was miles away. I couldn't believe how maneuverable they are by using different altitudes and wind directions. We did two circles around a 5 miles course instead of just drifting down wind. If you have never taken a hot air balloon flight, go find an instructor and take a lesson! It will be way better than just paying some commercial ride place to go way up and drift for 30 minutes and then land. Go fly one yourself and see what it really is like.

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