Whooosh!

[susandennis]

I was 40 years old before I ever set foot in California.  Growing up in the 60s, Dione Warwick was the only way I knew the way to San Jose.  But in 1989, I was asked if I wanted to take a job there.  I'm not sure the guy who was asking the question even got to the end of it before I barked 'YES!'.

I arrived on a Friday night and got a rental car at the San Jose airport and drove myself to my motel - in Morgan Hill, CA.  My new job was at a software lab about 5 miles north of Morgan Hill which is about maybe 10ish miles south of San Jose.  Anyway...  The motel reminded me of every B black and white movie I had ever seen that featured the rural parts of California.  It gave me bearing.

Saturday morning, my ears woke up first.  There was the strangest noise.  It was kind of like a leaf blower but a kinder, gentler leaf blower - blowing in soft puffs.  I remember thinking 'wow, even the lawn equipment sounds like it's doing recreational drugs!'  I did not move but opened up one eyeball to see what time it was - 6 a.m.  (Why in the fuck are they blowing leaves at 6 fucking a.m. on Saturday????)

I opened up the other eyeball and looked out the window and saw the most wondrous site...  A perfectly beautiful colorful magical looking hot hair balloon was coming alive not 100 yards from my window!  It took me a full minute to honestly believe I wasn't still asleep.  Turns out this little no name motel was next to a field that was a very popular balloon launching site.

We had a few balloons on the east coast.  They would turn up at fairs and stuff.  In California, and as it turns out in other parts of the west, especially on weekends, they grow out of the fields like crops.  I never ever got tired of seeing them and learned to tune into their special leaf blowing kind of sound. 

One Sunday, after I had moved into my condo, I heard that sound and hopped out to check the window.  I could hear it but I couldn't see it.  I ran from window to window and finally just ran out the front door to see if I could spot it.  All of a sudden I hear - as clearly as if the speaker was standing next to me ... "did we wake you?"  I looked up.  The speaker was in the basket just over head of a wonderfully beautiful balloon.

It's the perfect love for an early morning person like me.  My friend, John (who is also an early morning person) and I used to research the balloon launchings in norther California,  get up at oh dark 30 and go see the launches.  It was a great way to see nooks and crannies of that part of the state.

Every year I think I should go to the balloon show in Albuquerque, NM.  But, I'm not big on crowds and it's always at the same time as baseball playoffs.  But, now, I read they have a Balloon Museum there!  I can put together my own little balloon trip.  I need to pick a good weekend and just go. 

Comments

[roadskoller.livejournal.com]

I've been lucky enough to be driving through Albequerque on a couple of occasions when the balloons were aloft. It's an amzing sight.

[nt.livejournal.com]

Have you ever ridden in one, or do you just like watching them?

I think it would be great fun, but have never been in one myself.

[susandennis]

No I hever have been in one. I did parasail once (parashoot off the end of a boat with a nice safe leash) - it was beautiful and so quiet. I'd hop on the chance to ride in one ESPECIALLY if it were with others - how cool it would be to be up there and see other balloons up there, too?!

[pinkrose70.livejournal.com]

Your "Growing up in the 60s, Dione Warwick was the only way I knew the way to San Jose." made me smile!

Hearing that in the 60's never gave me even a remote notion that I'd ever live anywhere close to California.

I like those bright colors in the balloon picture.

Do you think there's a possibility of a jigsaw puzzle to come out of that?

[susandennis]

Nope on the jigsaw - I don't have permissions to use it. I'm very careful about the jigsaw pictures in that way. Oddly, however, I'll snag most anything for my journal :)

[pheon.livejournal.com]

I agree. They are beautiful to watch. The small airport here in Newberg has a large grassy field adjacent to it from which they launch the balloons most summer weekends, so we see them out over the valley. Lovely.

That's a beautiful picture you included.

Cool!!

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

I actually know a little about balloons, growing up in Napa Valley.

They usually always fly early because of the air temps etc. The cooler the air, the better the lift with the hot air in the balloon. Also, it is never windy because you are going the same speed as the wind.

I have friends who were on chase crews in Albuquerque and they had lots of fun doing it. They got free rides too.

I hope you get to go.

I also had a cocker spaniel who thought he alone was responsible for keeping those balloons off our property. He would run down the yard and bark when he heard the propane tanks going off.

Another thing that makes me smile. I remember seeing Gondolas/baskets all over the place when I lived in Napa.

Re: Cool!!

[susandennis]

Somehow the info that you were raised in Napa Valley just totally got by me! And yes, Napa was one of our favorite places to get to for watching (and then later eating at one of the many fabulous places). Somewhere somehow in my life I did an interview (for a story) for a company that made gondolas. They made the only triangle gondolas. I cannot remember when or where or why I did the interview, tho.

Re: Cool!!

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

Yep, I was born and raised in Napa, CA.

Graduated from Napa High School class of '63.

It was a great place to live.