Escapees September-October 2023

As a reward for their hard work, crews often found themselves whisked up, up and away with their pilot. One morning as we walked to the fi eld, a text from our crew chief asking for our weights signaled we were the lucky ones that day! The smiles on our faces as we ascended over the fi eld, safely tucked into the basket, were the largest we’ve worn in years! Our fi rst-ever hot air balloon ride couldn’t have been more perfect: light winds and a pilot who was calm and well-trained made the trip a memorable event that we hope to repeat again someday. In addition to crewing, a few Boomers took time to help raise money for Escapees CARE. Jenny and Chris, my husband and I and Larry and Cathy Sherrill #157671 sold refreshments at the neighboring Xscapers Convergence’s Status Crowes concert on two Sunday afternoons. Generous Escapees from both groups donated just over $1,000. The 2022 Balloon Fiesta endured unprec edented rainy and windy weather on nearly half of the nine days, with the biggest disap pointment being the cancellation of all fi ve “glow” nights where hundreds of in fl ated balloons illuminate by torch (burner) light while anchored on the fi eld just after sunset. Despite these setbacks, thousands of spectators young and old, including these two Escapees Boomers, still joyfully craned their necks in the early morning hours to gaze as hundreds of colorful balloons,in cluding special shapes of dogs, cats, cows, pigs, bees, a witch, a snowman and movie and television characters,rose overhead and across the Albuquerque, New Mexico, landscape below majestic Sandia Mountain. The 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is scheduled for October 7–15. If you’ve never been, consider going! Escapees provides various opportunities to attend as a group this year, by way of a HOP (See page 71), an Xscapers Convergence (See page 66–68) or with the Boomers BoF (See pages 80-82). TINA CAPARELLA #152563 is enjoying retirement after 40 years in publishing, 25 of them as an agriculture magazine editor. She, with her husband of 30 years, travel in their Grand Design Re fl ection fi fth wheel. They have two adult sons and three grandsons.

It’s a Balloon Crew Life Technically, the balloon is called an “envelope” while the open ing at the base above the basket is called the “throat.” After several crew members unfurl the heavy and bulky envelope from its case and carefully spread it out on the ground, the pilot attaches it to the basket using various cables and ropes. Two crew members then hold open each side of the throat so a large fan can “cold in fl ate” the envelope. Meanwhile, at the top, or “crown,” of the envelope another crew member is attaching a section of fabric called the “parachute” by Velcro straps over an opening in the envelope. The parachute allows the pilot to control the release of air from the envelope for a safe landing. After the envelope is in fl ated with cold air, all while one (or more, depending on wind and spectator conditions) crew member is holding the crown stable with a rope, the pilot fi res up the burners to begin pumping heat into the envelope, which causes it to start rising. A few more burner blasts and the basket and balloon are brilliantly upright, yet still grounded, thanks to multiple crew hands and a tether on the basket tied to the chase vehicle. Once the lucky riders are loaded into the basket and the pilot is con fi dent all functions are safely operating and the balloon fi esta’s “Zebras,” which are launch directors dressed in decorative striped referee garb, blow the whistle to give the all clear, it’s up, up and away amidst cheers from the gathered crowds and crew who aided in the mission. As the balloon fl oats through the sky, the ground crew jumps into the chase vehicle and begins the task of following the balloon in anticipation of its landing. Many pilots use a gps system for tracking, which helps the crew keep an eye on things, amidst a massive sea of colored and shaped enve lopes, or if the balloon should dip below a hill and is no longer visible. Once safely on the ground, the crew then helps dismantle the burners and envelope from the basket, fold up and store away the envelope, and load everything back into the vehicle ready for the next fl ight adventure!

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ESCAPEES Magazine September/October 2023