Last weekend we decided to wake up a little early and go to Baton Rouge's annual Hot Air Balloon Races. We've never been before and wanted to learn how a race really works with balloons!! We waited around an acre of a circle with a giant X in the middle and a flag pole. All of a sudden, a couple miles away, balloon after balloon started rising and coming in our direction. The objective is to lower the balloon as much as comfortable and throw their team's beanbag as close to the X as possible. They must also try to throw a large ring over the top of the flagpole in the hopes of winning $1000. If the basket ever touches the ground they are disqualified. What we didn't realize is how much control the drivers have. They have the steering down to a science. They calculate wind speeds, wind directions, elevation, other balloons, etc. all into throwing a beanbag. After they do the drop at our location they rise up again and start toward the next designated drop zone somewhere else in the city. I think there were 4 drop zones total that completed the whole race and we counted somewhere between 35-40 hot air balloons. The boys were captivated and it was really magical to see the balloons getting bigger and bigger as they got closer and were descending right over you.
Waiting for the first balloons at 6:30am! Not all awake and cheery yet.
Here They Come!!!
Each balloon is taking a shot at coming down over the X and the flagpole and then they shoot back up quickly. Notice the red, white, and blue balloon touching the yellow balloon.
Mesmerizing!!
There they go!
Fun Times!!
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