Watching the landing of the hot air balloon in our neighborhood last Wednesday captured my interest so I did a little research and found out where and when the balloon company launched for their adventures.

Saturday morning, about an hour before dawn I drove to the launch site to photograph the balloons.  Due to wind and cloud conditions at their primary launch site in Newberg, the launch was moved south about seven miles to a field at the high school in the town of St. Paul.

One of the balloons unfolded ready for inflation.

In the photo above the balloon has been unfolded and positioned to be inflated by the two large fans on either side of the basket.

The balloon begins to expand.

Almost there...

Both balloons fully inflated

Add a little heat

Two balloons ready for flight

Add a little more heat...

Lift off! The first balloon begins it's ascent.

Up.............

Up.......

And away!

As soon as the first balloon clears the launch area the second heads aloft.

Second balloon lifts off

Climbing swiftly after the first.

The second balloon passes directly overhead.

The balloons drift slowly north on the morning breeze.

UFO (Unique Flying Object) Lands in the Neighborhood.
Early this morning as I enjoyed a cup of coffee on the deck I noticed an odd rushing sound that repeated every couple of minutes. On investigation it turned out to be a hot air balloon belonging to Vista Balloon Adventures as it prepared for landing in a field on the other side of the trees to the east of our subdivision.

Hot air balloon desending

A Closer Look

Descending behind trees

Balloon lands behind trees