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Heart felt patriotism is the perfect decoration or gift from My name Is Old Glory.com

The growing popularity of ballooning is reflected by the number of meets, the largest (certainly the oldest) of these probably being in Albuquerque, NM, where the meet has been in operation for thirty-four years. In 2005 there were over 600 balloons participating, most from the western United States, but also a few hardy souls who shipped their balloons in from Australia, the UK and elsewhere around the world. Officially termed the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, this year (2006) it will be running from October 6 -15, with over 700 balloons expected.

Another interesting aspect of hot air ballooning is the advertising facet. Clever designers and fabricators have come up with balloons that look like most anything that one can imagine. Last year at a local meet, I saw such oddities as Barney the Dinosaur, the Planters Peanuts man, a Shell Gas Pump, a soft ice cream cone and Senator Foghorn the Leghorn from cartoons, just to name a few. Some of the larger ones, like Barney, seemed quite unwieldy both to inflate and to fly. Balloonists sell advertising or enlist sponsors to underwrite their ballooning activities and it seems to work out fairly well for all concerned.

Most balloonists I've talked to have a well-developed sense of humor, a necessary asset when dealing with the vagaries of the prevailing winds. Our pilot told us this story; mostly I think to divert our attention while passing over an open stretch of water.

A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts: "Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?" The man below says: "yes you're in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field." "You must work in Information Technology" says the balloonist. "I do" replies the man. "How did you know?" "Well" says the balloonist, "everything you have told me is technically correct, but it's no use to anyone." The man below says, "You must work in Management". "I do" replies the balloonist, "but how did you know?" "Well", says the man, "you don't know where you are, or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were before we met, but now it's my fault."

Hot Air Balloon Ride: A Perfect Gift by Chris Robertson

When you want to give a gift that will be remembered, consider giving a gift certificate for a hot air balloon ride or other soaring adventures. Humans have always craved the freedom of flight, and balloon rides, glider rides, or skydiving are sure to be gifts that will thrill your recipients.

A hot air balloon ride typically has room for one, two, three, four, or more passengers, depending upon the size of the gondola (the basket). Usually a crew chief will take your friend or friends to a launch site where the balloon is being inflated. After the balloon is inflated and everyone is in the gondola, the balloon gently ascends to between 500 and 1,000 feet. It travels above the treetops and below the clouds for about an hour, covering five or ten miles. Upon landing, it's typical to adhere to an old French tradition of celebrating with a champagne toast as the balloon is being rolled up. The entire experience takes about three hours. A glider ride can take several forms. Some gliders are equipped with dual-controlled joysticks, so a single rider can take the controls from the pilot for a short time and actually fly the glider. These glider rides are typically a series of two or three take-offs, flights, and landings, and usually last about an hour and a half. Another type of glider ride takes the rider up one mile in the air, where they can enjoy a smooth, quiet, peaceful ride with views of spectacular scenery. Other gliders have more room, so that two riders can accompany the pilot for a beautiful flight.

For the truly adventuresome, tandem skydiving makes the perfect gift. Typically, the novice and the instructor board the jump plane and climb to between 10,000 and 13,000 feet. Signals are given and the novice exits the aircraft harnessed to his or her instructor. The free-fall is a rush and the feeling of flying is breathtaking. Then, the chute is opened and the two float to earth together.

Soaring adventures make a wonderful gift, but they can also create memorable bonding experiences. A hot air balloon ride on your first wedding anniversary can be incredibly romantic and exciting. Likewise, a hot air balloon ride can provide the perfect backdrop for a reunion of close friends or classmates. Whatever the occasion, soaring adventures can put the wind beneath your wings.

http://www.ideamarketers.com/./library/article.cfm?articleid=70865

• Hot Air Balloon Ride: A Perfect Gift by Chris Robertson
  When you want to give a gift that will be remembered, consider giving a gift certificate for a hot air balloon ride or other soaring adventures. Humans have always craved the freedom of flight, and balloon rides, glider rides, or skydiving are sure to be gifts that will thrill your recipients. A hot air balloon ride typically has room for one, two, three, four, or more passengers, depending upo
  http://www.ideamarketers.com/
• Hot Air Balloon Rides What Happens? by Gary Mortimer
  What to expect on a hot air balloon ride.Several factors have made hot air ballooning one of the fastest growing adventure ride items and hottest gift tickets around in the last 20 years. With more than 70,000 passengers flown in the UK alone every year.Sir Richard Branson and his well publicized Atlantic and Pacific crossings and numerous round the world attempts. All kept hot ai
  http://www.ezinearticles.com/
• Hanging Around in Thailand by Gary Mortimer
  Our trip to Thailand had been long awaited, originally planned for the winter of 94/95. My wife Karin had bought the maps and books and even packed; we were off. The balloon was ready at Thunder and Colt with a heavy duty basket tailor made for hard use overseas. And then they went bust. The delay meant that we missed the relatively short window available for flying in Thailand. So it was rainy
  http://www.ezinearticles.com/
• by Andrew Muigai is editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter. It is published by AfricaPoint.com- the Africa travel website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa. You can view more info on Botswana safari and tours at the website.
  Botswana is a country of seemingly endless open spaces. Though it occupies an area the size of France, the human population is only 1.6 million. This is one country where wildlife does not face stiff competition for land resources from man. As a result the animals have multiplied with a flourish. Botswana can justifiably claim to host some of the finest game sanctuaries in Africa. The worlds' larg
  http://www.aaarticles.com/
• Botswana Emerges as an Up Market Safari Destination by Andrew Muigai
  Botswana is a country of seemingly endless open spaces. Though it occupies an area the size of France, the human population is only 1.6 million. This is one country where wildlife does not face stiff competition for land resources from man. As a result the animals have multiplied with a flourish. Botswana can justifiably claim to host some of the finest game sanctuaries in Africa. The worlds' larg
  http://www.aaarticles.com/