Visit From Family: Balloon Liftoff

My Uncle and Aunt treated us to something we thought we'd likely never do. They wanted to take a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia and treated us to a ride, too. They told the kids over dinner one night. Their reactions were priceless. Miss Middler secretly told me later, "We are such a big family, I just thought we'd never get to do this. I am SO excited!" Big Ben said, "When I first heard, I was kind of scared. This morning I am scared and happy."

We got up before dawn and were picked up to be taken to the lift-off spot.

Whether the balloons will fly, the lift-off spot, and the landing spot are all determined by the wind. We had rain on either side of this day, but the Lord provided the perfect day for us.

This part fascinated me. It was loud and exciting to watch. How could that giant balloon fill with hot air and take all of us up in a basket?

Soon, it was filling and the balloon was rising into the air.

They hoisted us in and quickly taught us the landing position.

We were so very excited. CC has a fear of heights (which he claims is perfectly logical, because you could actually die from a height, whereas you could not die from a closed in space...I disagree. I could just stop breathing.)

Our balloon pilot was wonderful. Kaan, a local from the Cappadocian town of Goreme, had us laughing the whole time. He said, "Your first time up?" I said, "Yes." He said, "Me too."

This was taken s we were lifting off the ground!

And soon, we were up. Up above some of the most beautiful landscape in the world!