Years ago, I had a vivid dream of floating in a hot air balloon. It was one of those surreal dreams that didn’t quite make sense — I’m also afraid of heights — but the breathtaking view from the basket as we glided over a magical landscape stayed with me. The image inspired me to add “hot air balloon ride” to my bucket list. I later learned about the annual Hudson Valley Balloon Festival but filed away the idea of soaring as an expensive, intimidating, “maybe-someday” dream.
Then, this past spring, I heard about crewing. Hot air balloons require crews of volunteers to help launch, track, land, and pack up. At minimum, volunteers get hands-on with a balloon — and sometimes, they get to go up in one as a free bonus for their work. So I jumped in May when my colleague Amy Brown put out a call for volunteers interested in a “unique Hudson Valley experience” to “crew for a hot air balloon!”
Captivated by her words, I asked what it took. The meeting spot, Hahn Farm in Salt Point, was unfamiliar territory for me, and as a night owl, I questioned my ability to get enough rest before a crazy-early weekend morning of hard work.
Did I have the strength to really contribute and keep up with the other volunteers, or would I be in the way? My doubts lingered, but this was a rare opportunity, and I was eager to discover what it took to get a giant balloon off the ground and soaring.
The commitment was just two hours, and the location was a manageable 40-minute drive away. At the very least, I would get to be up close and personal with a hot air balloon, free from crowds, and to capture some cool photos. I decided I was up for the challenge.
Early Start
Flights typically occur early in the morning (within two hours of sunrise) and late afternoon or early evening, prioritizing calm wind conditions. The hot air balloon company operates under Visual Flight Rules, which means they avoid flying in clouds, rain, or even during potential thunderstorms. We received confirmation the night before the launch that the morning’s plans were on track.
Feeling a bit anxious, I managed to grab about four hours of sleep. Rising at 4 a.m., my husband Nick and I dressed in layers and waterproof shoes as instructed, and got out the door by 4:48 a.m. As we took the scenic route along 9D, crossing Route 9 through Vassar Road, the early June morning greeted us with clear blue skies, dewy ground, and a refreshing chill in the air. The roads were empty, and we enjoyed the tranquil drive.
We estimated arriving around 5:25 a.m., so there was no need to rush, allowing us to soak in the scenery along the way. Nick casually asked if I were nervous. “No,” I said, “but I think I would be if I were going up in the balloon.” This sparked a thought-provoking conversation about our mutual fear of heights and the policy specifics of our life insurance.
Approaching our destination, we started seeing expansive open fields and houses scattered farther apart. One especially scenic view was of a gently sloping field with tall grass and wildflowers. The early morning mist clung to the ground as the sky brightened, and a deer suddenly looked up at us as we passed by. It would’ve been a great photo had I been on the driver’s side at that moment.
When we got to the farm, we quickly realized that the field we needed to be on was across the street. Parked nearby was a big white SUV towing a surprisingly small, white trailer with a logo of a rainbow-colored hot air balloon and the words “Adventure with Altitude.” The trailer opened to a basket big enough to stand in. Inside, the balloon material hung from a huge bag.
We were introduced to the pilot, Rich Hamilton, accompanied by his wife Lori and two regular crew members, Amy S. and Sue L. Our Scenic Hudson volunteer crew included Amy B., Margaret K., Nick, and me. Shortly after, a family arrived. The grandmother, visibly excited, shared how long she’d waited to finally ride in a hot air balloon. Her daughter and two preschool-age grandkids provided sweet-but-still-groggy support for her dream come true.
The Prep
Rich hopped into the car and slowly maneuvered the trailer away from the basket, neatly laying out the rest of the balloon material in a straight line on the grass. Then, he treated us to a fun balloon test. Releasing a green helium-filled balloon, he instructed us to track its path until it disappeared from view. He explained that hot air balloons cannot be steered directly. They go wherever the wind takes them. Observing the green balloon, it initially ascended straight up before drifting southwest and then curving back towards our position.
Things started moving pretty quickly after that. We unfolded the balloon, revealing its rainbow colors and classic shape. Lori gave Margaret and Amy S. directions at the top of the balloon. Then, Rich asked for a volunteer to be at the “throat,” or opening, of the balloon above the basket. I raised my hand, not knowing what I was getting myself into.
Rich asked me to hold onto the ropes on one side of the balloon while Sue did the same on the other side. Our first task was to fill the balloon with cool air using a giant fan. Easy peasy. Once the balloon seemed full, Rich directed me to turn my head away from the opening because it was time to blow hot air into the balloon. At that moment, the fire-fearing person in me realized what was about to happen, and it was too late for me to ask anyone to take my place.
I put on a brave face, nodded okay, and tried not to freak out while Rich turned on the propane. The sensation was what I imagined a mini flamethrower might feel like near my head. It didn’t take that long for the balloon to start lifting after that. Boy, was I relieved when Rich signaled to let go of the ropes.
Next, Rich requested some folks to add body weight to the basket while he made some adjustments and burst more propane into the balloon. Once he seemed all set, the passenger got into the basket with him, and they were off. We watched with childlike awe and waved as the balloon closely followed the path of the earlier balloon test.
The Chase
Then, came the chase. Just as you would imagine, we piled into our cars and followed the convoy led by the “Adventure with Altitude” trailer. Before that, Lori showed us her trusty GPS tracking system on her iPad. She also equipped Amy B. with her mobile number and walkie-talkie so that she and Margaret could stay updated on Lori and Rich’s communications. In the past, they relied solely on spotting the balloon in the sky, which must have been quite a challenge to track after landing.
We drove southwest, making occasional stops to watch the balloon, and eventually turned back around. It was fun chasing the rainbow-colored balloon as it floated gracefully in the sky. The colors were extra-pretty against the morning light.
The Landing
After about 30 minutes, we located the balloon in an empty field just a short distance from the launch site. Once again, the pilot requested assistance to stabilize the basket. Since hot air balloons cannot be steered, landing in a specific spot isn’t possible. Every landing involves securing the balloon while someone, in this case Lori, locates the landowner. Usually, when the landowner is located, Lori presents them with a bottle of champagne as a token of appreciation. If the landowner cannot be found, she leaves a business card and thank you note instead.
While we waited for Lori to return, Margaret pointed out a great blue heron gliding across the field with slow, rhythmic wingbeats just beyond the balloon. What a majestic bird! It left me feeling grateful for the experience.
Packing Up
We needed more room to lay the balloon flat, so Rich had to blast a little more propane into the balloon. This allowed us to lift the basket 3 or 4 feet above the ground and carefully maneuver it closer to the driveway. It required more effort than I thought it would, and I wondered how they would have managed without the extra help from our volunteer crew that day.
Once we found a suitable spot, our first task was to lay out tarps to protect the balloon material from moisture. As the balloon began to deflate, our job was to grasp the ribbon edges and pull them down, making sure the balloon settled onto the tarp rather than the grass. It reminded me of the similarly colored parachute material my kids used to play with in groups where the goal was to get the bean bags in the middle to go up as high as they could. The memory made me smile.
Things turned tense when the balloon started to collapse faster than expected. I struggled to keep up with grabbing the edges. I felt a brief rush of panic as the balloon fell over me, but the situation quickly resolved itself after I moved back to the edge of the balloon.
Once the balloon was fully deflated, Lori took charge, folding the edges toward the center and fastening them together. She jokingly remarked that this was her workout for the day. It certainly looked strenuous.
We pitched in as much as we could, helping her with the folds as she worked toward the center. With the edges folded, we all grabbed a section and began walking towards the large bag where the balloon would eventually be packed away.
Fun fact: the balloon itself weighs 250 lbs., while the handwoven basket weighs about 70 lbs. Remarkably, both fit snugly into the trailer.
Celebrating the Flight
Afterward, Nick and I were ready for breakfast (and maybe a nap). To our delight, Rich and Lori graciously invited us all back to the launch site for stories, champagne, juice, and a delicious homemade coffee cake. It was a sweet conclusion to a Hudson Valley experience that had been as unique as billed.
Then Amy B., Margaret, Nick, and I stayed a bit longer than the regular crew and had the pleasure of meeting Tom Hahn, the owner of Hahn Farm, along with his charming dog, Bruno (named after Bruno Mars, of course). Tom shared stories about his bicentennial farm, land conservation, and the time Rich took him up in the balloon.
How to Volunteer
If you’re interested in a similar firsthand experience with a hot air balloon, don’t miss the opportunity at the upcoming Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival in Union Vale over Labor Day weekend. Balloon pilots coming from out of town are always in need of volunteer support from local crews. Sign up at https://www.dcrcoc.org/balloonfestinvolved.
