Of all the forms of air transportation, hot air balloons may quite possibly have the most interesting history. Did you know that the first passengers to fly the friendly skies in a balloon weren’t human, but rather were a rooster, a duck, and a sheep? How about the fact that two Frenchmen in 1808 dueled over a woman while flying in balloons?
While you probably don’t want to put any animals into your balloon basket or have a full-on duel with a rival in love, taking your first hot air balloon flight is a fun, exciting, and interesting idea. Whether you’re on a romantic date or a family outing, there are a lot of awesome reasons to try out this unique form of transit and get a new vantage point on the world.
Read on to learn why you should hop into a hot air balloon basket and soar over Texas today!
It’s Completely Safe
Many people who feel anxious about riding in a hot air balloon are concerned with safety. However, there’s nothing to worry about- hot air balloons are by far the safest mode of air transportation. In fact, between 2000 and 2016, there were only 21 fatalities from this activity. That’s almost 65 times fewer fatalities than airplanes cause in a single year!
If you’re still worried about safety, however, there are ways that you can maximize your preparedness for all situations.
The best thing you can do is to dress appropriately. This means wearing boots or sneakers with high socks so that your feet are protected during landing. Beyond that, the only risks that you really need to worry about in a hot air balloon are becoming chilly or getting sunburn, which are concerns that can be easily laid to rest by bringing a jacket and some sunscreen.
You Get a New Perspective
When you take a ride in a hot air balloon, you’ll get an entirely new view of the world that you see every day. The tops of trees, the natural beauty below, the homes and the buildings, all of them will look a little different from your vantage point up in the air.
If you want to learn more about the amazing things that you’ll see when you take your first hot air balloon ride, you can read more online about the breathtaking views that people have enjoyed while in their baskets.
It Can Be Super Romantic
Consult the internet or watch any Hollywood production and you’ll learn that hot air balloon rides are very, very romantic endeavors. This makes sense- after all, seeing amazing and gorgeous visions alongside someone you love is a great way to bond over aesthetics and beauty.
Not only that, but you’ll be in close quarters with the other person, which is sure to make you feel more emotionally engaged with them.
You’ll have the space to stand close to them, point out lovely views to them, and hold their hand as you marvel at how beautiful Texas really is.
Another awesome thing about hot air balloon rides is that many of them serve food. You’ll be able to order plates of fruit and cheese as well as drinks like bubbly champagne (or sparkling water, if you prefer.) This means that you can have a lunch or dinner date while you’re up in the clouds.
It’s Any Artist’s Dream
If you possess the heart of an artist, a hot air balloon ride is just what you need. Whether you’re a painter, a writer, a filmmaker, or a photographer, the sites you see above the Lone Star State can act as your muse and get the ball rolling on your next project.
Bring a small camera with you when you go up into the sky. This will let you take pictures that are higher in quality than a cell phone can provide. If you’re into photography, you’ll have an awesome time later with Photoshop or adding filters to your images.
If digitally altering photographs as an art form isn’t your main forte, that’s alright! Looking at the pictures later will refresh your memory and give you something to paint or write about.
The Landing Is Amazing
One of the absolute best parts of any hot air balloon ride is the landing. This is because each landing is different and therefore a surprise.
Generally, when beginning a journey, the pilot of your balloon doesn’t know where you’re going to land. After all, there are a lot of factors going into the decision of where to touch back down onto the ground. Your pilot will use their knowledge of both the current weather conditions and the geographic area to determine the appropriate place to land. The location that they choose will be heavily dependent on the speed of the wind and the terrain of nearby areas.
The way that your balloon lands will depend on these factors, too. In calmer breezes, you’ll likely experience something called a ‘stand-up landing,’ where your basket touches down gently to the ground so that you can remain standing. This is what you likely imagine when you think of a balloon landing since it’s what’s most often portrayed in films and TV shows.
However, if it’s a little windier out, the pilot may ask you to crouch into the basket and bend your knees to soften the fall. This sounds scary, but it’s actually a ton of fun! You can also lean onto the gondola of your basket to make sure that no one falls out and everyone’s as secure as possible. There’s nothing to worry about.
Take Your First Hot Air Balloon Flight Today
There are a lot of fun things that you can do in the great state of Texas, but none are as enchanting as taking a ride up in the clouds.
Now that you know why it’s crucial that you take your first hot air balloon flight over Texas, it’s time to look into more fun activities in the San Antonio area. Check out the ‘entertainment’ tab on our page for some ideas on how to have a good time after your hot air balloon ride is over.
Have a great time being swept away!
