Hobbies The Balloon Chasers
Seeing a hot air balloon float overhead is a magical experience: the bright colors; their gentle and graceful movement; and the unique sense of high-flying adventure. For some, the sight leads to another type of adventure - one that does not require that you ever leave the ground! Chris Cook, Maintenance Technician – Kent, and his 6-year-old daughter, Ava, saw a balloon overhead one evening three years ago and thus began a new father/daughter pastime: balloon chasing.
The excitement started when they hopped in the car, determined to figure out where the balloon would land. They navigated across country roads with Ava’s eye on the colorful balloon floating in the distance, trying to guess where would be a good spot for the balloon to land. The trip was like a puzzle, with a rainbow-hued balloon as a prize. They found the balloon in a field that day and watched from the sideline as the crew rolled up and deflated the colorful fabric. Three months went by without seeing another balloon float by, but when one finally appeared, father and daughter jumped back in the car to repeat their adventure. That first
year they chased 9 balloons. In their second year, they chased 40 balloons. By their third year, they chased 68 balloons. To keep track of their adventures, Chris started a Facebook page, and additionally, each chase has been colorfully documented in a scrapbook. The whole family (mom, grandparents, aunts, and uncles) have all gotten involved in the adventures – joining in the balloon-chasing excursions whenever possible. So, what happens when the balloon pilot asks you one day if you want to go for a ride? Of course, you say yes! Even if you are deathly afraid of heights and claim that you would NEVER go up! Chris and Ava didn’t have time to think so they climbed into the basket and were lifting off the ground before Chris had time to worry about a thing. As they floated over Brimfield and the area that Chris has known his whole life, they were able to pick out their own home and Ava’s playset. As they skimmed the top of the trees, they grabbed a leaf to add to Ava’s scrapbook.
The balloon crew, an essential and integral part of every successful hot air balloon trip, has grown so accustomed to seeing Chris and Ava after their trips that they started asking Chris to help out with the balloon deflation and pack-up. Chris’ willingness to help and follow directions has landed him a new side gig this year: he is now a paid chase crew member! Whenever his schedule permits, he helps set up, inflate, chase, and pack up the balloon. Special GPS trackers, apps, and radios make the chase a little easier than when he and Ava are trailing the balloon by sight.
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