Polebridge Hot Air Balloon Fun

Even though Glacier is the focal point, the Flathead and the surrounding area presents boundless activities, talk about it here.

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Polebridge Hot Air Balloon Fun

Post by PeteE »

Saturday April 16th looked to be a nice day so I rode out to the North Fork for a walk.
After walking a couple miles out the Bowman Lake road, I returned to the Polebridge Mercantile to eat my dinner sandwich.
As I was eating I noticed some folks breaking out a hot air balloon.
And so I hung out as the balloon owner took it up on a "tether" checking it out and giving some visitors short rides.

There's a 15 minute video uploading now. YouTube is busy Sunday mornings so it'll be an half hour or more uploading :(


Here's some snaps for now
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They fill the balloon with a big blower fan first. The lady keeps tension on a line hooked to the top of the balloon to keep in stretched out for filling
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After the balloon is pretty much filled with air while lying down, the pilot will light off the burner intermittently to get it to rise and remain upright. The video shows this process much better.
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Then it it's "Up, Up and Away" :) He took it up and down several times on the tether. As you will see in the video, the balloon owner/pilot was VERY nice. He gave rides to some of the people who just happened to be around, including small children. I thought that was very cool. I bet those kids, fearless lil buggers, won't ever forget their hot air balloon ride 8)
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Later

pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

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Re: Polebridge Hot Air Balloon Fun

Post by indiana hiker »

What a great thing to stumble upon. The day looked fantastic, clear, blue sky. Great photos Pete
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Re: Polebridge Hot Air Balloon Fun

Post by PeteE »

indiana hiker wrote:What a great thing to stumble upon. The day looked fantastic, clear, blue sky. Great photos Pete
Thanks :)
It's hard to believe it's mid April. People rafting, swimming, playing golf. You'd think it was June.
Beautiful day to be out.

This first one was taken across the road from the Northern Lights Saloon.
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This one was taken from the road where it passes through the private homes. Nice view to wake up to isn't it? The sun rises behind the peaks. That prairie will see big herds of elk in season. And I'm sure residents see wolves and bears as well.
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"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

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Re: Polebridge Hot Air Balloon Fun

Post by teapot57 »

That's awesome, Pete! You didn't go for a ride?
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Re: Polebridge Hot Air Balloon Fun

Post by PeteE »

teapot57 wrote:That's awesome, Pete! You didn't go for a ride?
The truth is...I really did want to go up.
The sun would have been perfect for photos and video.
Aerial view of the Merc with the mountains behind it.

You see the little kids in the video?
I just didn't have it in me to go over and ask.
The people over nearer were so excited, especially the little kids.
They could take two kids in place of me.

You had to have been there to understand 8)

pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

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Re: Polebridge Hot Air Balloon Fun

Post by teapot57 »

I get it. From the way you described it, I thought maybe he was offering the rides rather than people asking. Still pretty cool to watch the whole process of it going up!
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Re: Polebridge Hot Air Balloon Fun

Post by PeteE »

teapot57 wrote:I get it. From the way you described it, I thought maybe he was offering the rides rather than people asking. Still pretty cool to watch the whole process of it going up!
LOL!!
Yes, he did call out offering rides. I just didn't have the heart to go "get in front" of the kids (and their parents) who wanted to ride. That's all :)

pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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