"A Peaceful Morning Ride....."
by: Bobby McDonald
The Weatherman.....Lance Terry, a balloonist and commercial airline pilot, briefs everyone
on the weather conditions in a most detailed fashion.
Weather over Sulphur Springs, at 5:15 a.m. was "a little shaky" for a balloon ride and the weather forecast made it doubtful for a launch, but soon conditions changed and a caravan of balloonists, crews, and observers made their way to the David Black Farm on Highway 154. By 6:15 balloons were stretched across the field and everything was on go! Soon a fan was blowing and inflating the balloon and by 6:30 we were in the air, thanks to our crew members, Tater Van Ryn, Tom Miller, Kregg Slakey, and Rick Hartzell. Pilot, Phil Bryant, with the Propane Council of Texas, and I lifted off and were peacefully flying over first Shooks Chapel, and then on into the southern edge of Sulphur Springs. We floated over the city as everyone was waking up, to start the day!
And, she's back again this year......Sheronda Greenwood, the Balloon Meister of this year's
event, who keeps everything organized and safe!
We landed just east of Carriage House Manor Nursing Home, in an open, grassy area, with a smooth, smooth landing! We think we might have awaken Wanda Trusty or at least "horned in" on her morning coffee!!!
Thanks guys for a great flight!
Enjoy these photos of Hopkins County from a different perspective:
And, Lance Terry gets ready to release a propane filled balloon to see what the
wind conditions are like, outside the hotel meeting room.
Lance gives instructions to Tom Miller, Tater VanRyn and Kregg Slakey to inflate the balloon.
Phil Bryant with Propane Council of Texas pulls out the massive balloon.
And, the inflation begins......
A dose of what else, PROPANE.....
She inflates and we're off......
The crew waves to us from below and gets ready to follow us across Sulphur Springs.....
A sunrise view of Shooks Chapel.....
The Shooks Chapel Cemetery and Church......
The Ira and Allarea Black home on Hwy-154.....
Highway 154
And, a Hopkins County Dairy Farm from a
different perspective.....
These cows are wondering what has interupted their morning
routine.....
A new view of Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission Company....
The Andy Smith Dairy Farm.....
Tractor Supply....
Super Handy....
The New South Loop......
Interstate 30
Broadway Square and the edge of Spring Village....
The Sulphur Springs Water Tower....
A peaceful view of downtown.....
Not much action on the square, early in the morning....
But, a different perspective.....
Downtown view from East......
Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op and the Historical Museum....
Bordens......
These Brangus beef cows found us interesting....
But decided to hightail and run....
Looking for a soft and open place to land.....
And, we're down.....
The Crew Arrives and we're ready to pack-up, after a most enjoyable view
of Hopkins County....
Thanks Pilot and Crew for a Great Ride....
Thanks to Propane Council of Texas for
allowing us an Awesome and
Wonderful view of Sulphur Springs!!!
____
