Comments | editrx: Dragon in the sky

editrx

Dragon in the sky

Jul 11, 2009 06:59

I just heard a very familiar loud whooshing sound (for those of you who know my family background in lighter-than-air, you'll know I grew up hearing it a lot) ... looked out my window, just in time to see a gondola go up over the peak of the house here at the second story ( Read more... )

real life

Comments 17

mtemplar_fic July 11 2009, 13:36:55 UTC

Really? *was unaware of this custom*

We have hot air balloons going up all the time across the lake from us. The festival in August usually brings anywhere from 60 - 75 in the sky at once. That's a truly spectacular sight.

editrx July 11 2009, 23:40:52 UTC

I love the sound of them filling the canopy -- it's one of those sounds from my very early childhood that's seriously imprinted on me, so it wakes me out of even the deepest sleep (though this morning I was really only dozing).

I'd love to see a big rally of them. That must be gorgeous. Do you ever take photos? (hint hint)

Oh, and THE EAGLE HAS LANDED. I received your package yesterday -- thank you, ma'am!!!

mtemplar_fic July 12 2009, 11:09:17 UTC

Yes, we take lots of photos. The best ones are from directly underneath. They *are* gorgeous. Except for the giant pink energizer bunny that shows up every year. ;)

Yay! Everything was in one piece, hopefully?

editrx July 12 2009, 20:01:38 UTC

Yes! though I need to run the DVD to make sure, and also see if I can copy it here. I've been flat out this weekend.

Thread 5

garpu July 11 2009, 16:45:38 UTC

Huh, never knew that. As an apology for any dents in the lawn that might be caused?

ladyfox7oaks July 11 2009, 22:16:37 UTC

I *Think* it dates back to the first balloonists in France, apologizing for possibly damaging crops or scaring livestock /people who'd never seen balloons before.

editrx July 11 2009, 23:38:12 UTC

I will bet you're right about that! I so wish I could ask my dad, but he died a number of years ago now.

editrx July 11 2009, 23:37:41 UTC

You know, I actually don't know the origin of the custom, and I bet my dad would know ... but he's gone now. (He's the one who taught lighter-than-air at the Naval Academy after the War and then again in the late fifties & when I was just born.)

I'll bet it comes from the whole "landing on someone's private property" thing, and I'm sure it didn't originate in the States. It's a lovely custom. ;)

Thread 9

ladyfox7oaks July 11 2009, 22:17:21 UTC

Ever make it to the Reno Balloon races in September?

editrx July 11 2009, 23:38:57 UTC

No, but baron_elric remembers a balloon rally in Tuscon when he was going to college there at the U of A -- hundreds of them going up for a race.

ladyfox7oaks July 12 2009, 00:01:03 UTC

The Dawn Patrol was always too D*mned early for a night owl like me, but I still get to see some really cool balloons even as late as 8AM! :P