The blues was playin" on the radio and the piots and crews were all waiting
to see what sunday morning would bring. The event started out very promising.
The forcasts earlier in the week suggested that we may actually get to fly all
weekend. As Friday krept up on us the weather started looking a little iffier,
however.
Friday evening was clear enough but first pi bals that were sent up seemed
to barely move at all but as some of the balloons were set up the light and
variable winds became very variable. We set up about 7 with intentions of
staying at the field for the glow but the wind shifted toward the west, My
sponsor, Fred was there, the crew was just itchin to get their chasin shoes
warmed up for the weekend so we untied and lifted slowly out of the field to
drift over the U shaped lake that surrounds the park.Fred pointed out how, at
one time the lake used to be the channel of the river but after a flood a number
of years back, either God or the Corp of Engineers decided to re route it to
make a more direct route through town. If you have never been to Ottumwa you are
missing a great park!
We floated slowly to the SW and then shifted to due west for a bit
just enough to aim us for the Walmart (I think) parking lot or there abouts. A
quick packup had us heading for the field where we tried our darndest to find a
place to glow but the field was packed. We later saw that we could have squeezes
in a couple of places but it was fun watching and lending a hand to some of the
other crews anyway.
The changed the refueling to a different part of the park! Actually, I
understand they did that last year but I was in Chicago with Cheri and missed
it. It works MUCH better!
SAturday morning was pretty. They sent us down to the south to fly back
into the field so we all climbed aboard the chase vehicle and wormed our way to
what seemed a likely spot only to find 38 other balloons had already arrived!
After sending up a couple of pibals (Or reading someone elses at least) we could
see that the strong left that usually occors at the surface didn't! That balloon
just seemed to head straight north no mater how high it went. Almost like an
evening flight. I'm sure there is some meteorlogical explanaition for that but
it is beyond my level of expertise.
We found an appropriate field next to Jim Thompson so I knew it must be
pretty good. When we left the field (Yes, we wre the last to leave that field!)
I noticed a slight drift to the left before I even got to the tree tops but as
soon as we got that high we headed north. A balloon that had launched earlier
was quite high and still seemed to be heading north but we kept an eye on
him.
Riding with me this morning is Ashley, a student and helper of Connie.
Connie, her husband Mark and their son have been helping us up there since the
first year we flew there. I figured if Ashley could keep up with Connie she
would have to be an excellent crew member and I was not disapointed! Plus, she
could reach things for me on the top shelf!
Now, lets set up the task for you.
The field contained not only an X for scoring but also a north pointing
triangle. You were to toss baggie 1 to the X and 2 to the triangle which was the
southernmost point for a minimum distance double drop. The northern triangle for
the MDDD would be p;aced by the Hare balloon when he landed. He had launched
from the field when balloons first started appearing to the south. This task is
called a watership down and no, I have no idea why. Now, if you have kept
track over the years you know that I NEVER score on MDDDs! They just elude me
every time! Lets keep our fingers crossed.
The high balloon we had seen earlier had finally found a breeze to the
right so we went up to join him. This proved helpful in a couple of ways. First,
it set us up better to turn into the targets but it also sped us up a bit so we
could maybe see the hare balloon before it went down and also get us out of the
back of the pack. Unfortunately, The hare was already down before we spotted
him. Have to look him up after we go to the target.
At first it appeared that we were going to be east of the target on the
field but by getting down right over the lake and the treetops we managed to
proceed right over the target. Scored on the X as we ascended toward the
triangle and tossed the second baggie into it! There's half that MDDD!
We ascended quickly to try to spot the Hare but by the time we saw the
deflated Penguin we were too far north to turn that much left so we started
looking for friendly farmers. Landed in a ditch between a couple of fields as
the crew raced out to help us out of the basket. After untangling a few arms and
legs Ashley decided that ballooning might not be all that bad!
As far as scoring goes I knew that anyone that scored on the north triangle
had this one in the bag so we went to refuel and eat and await the results.
Turns out that NO ONE scored on the hare! Thanks Dale! Our so so toss had put us
into 5th place!
Now we are back to the rainy night in Ottumwa. They did need the rain, I'll
grant you that but what woulda been wrong with Sunday Night?!!!
Sunday morning looked wet but not too windy so we went to the field with
high hopes of getting a chance to beat Gomer but alas, The winds would be taking
us right down the river where the landing places were few and far between and 2
inches of rain the night before wasn't going to make it any easier so Phil
called the flight off and thus ended the race.
In some ways I was relieved since I did finish 5th out of 38 balloons but
one flight just seemds too little to judge by. It was probably very lucky for me
since I have the tendency to have one flight winning streaks but I would still
hav liked to flow again,
Thank You to Puil and Linda as well as all the sponsors and especially our
crew! They have been the best! We will come back up there next year and NOT be
the last ones off the field!
HIght flights and gentle landings to all!
Herb Heriford
P.M Printing
2401 Industrial
Drive
Jefferson City, MO. 65109
Phone: (573) 634-2204
Toll Free: (877)
281-3643
Fax: (573) 634-4058
E-mail:
private e-mail address