Special Shape Hot Air Balloons

There are always several special shape hot air balloons at the Great Texas Balloon Race.  (See my earlier post for lots more pictures of the balloon competition.)

 Gotta love the bees and the butterfly!

In previous years, we had gone to the balloon glow at night. It was hot, super crowded, and expensive to get in to (think thousands trying to park and get in on a 100 degree evening). With the Sunday morning race, we got to see the sunrise in a beautiful way without much traffic, for free, and it was much cooler! This will be the event we will return to again.

 And here is Noah's "Arky". If these special shape balloons don't make you smile...there is something wrong with you.

There was also several airplanes on display on the runway. Of course, my husband loved this part. He could tell you just what these airplanes are. Me on other hand, just know that are photogenic!

I loved the sun coming through windows of the Doolittle Raiders plane.

Here is the Galveston Gal plane. Since the week long festivities were over when the balloons finished the morning competition, these planes prepared for take off and my man loved to watch and hear the procedure.

We had a great time at the balloon race and hope you enjoyed a few of the sights as well.

Up, Up, and Away - Great Texas Balloon Race

Last weekend we attended the Great Texas Balloon Race. Get ready for a photo heavy post! We have been to the balloon glow at night before, but never to the morning competition. See that white pole in the first picture? Its a 20 foot tall PVC pipe that the balloon pilots are trying to put a ring on. The balloons came across the airport grounds, dropped nearly to the ground trying to hit their target, then took off into the morning sunrise.

Did I mention all this happened at 6:30 AM? We had to get up at 4:30 to be there on time. But oh, it was worth it! It was such a pretty morning.

A total of nine balloons put their ring on the target over the course of a weeks competition. I think one or two out of this group hit a pay check. They also dropped a flag, hoping to get close to the mark.

The Great Texas Balloon Race is held each July and is considered a great event and this year they even held the National competition.

The balloons were suppose to fly three miles away from the airport and then return to the target location, but the winds did not cooperate and noone made it back.

So what do you think? Have you ever road in a hot air balloon? I did once as a kid when our local community gas station held a grand opening ceremony - we got to go up and right back down.

Stay tuned for a few more pics of the special shape balloons that were on display.