I Am Grateful - - Hot Air Balloons

It was after 4pm when the phone rang and woke me from an accidental snooze. I had been meditating when I drifted off to dream, sitting in my chair. The phone was Ardy calling regarding the upcoming Toastmaster schedule; she wasn't sure what some of us were doing at this Tuesdays meeting. I went to get my schedule to see, and this led me to stand beside my living room window. When I hung up the phone, I looked out the window and noticed that, down on the on highway (I can see 3 different highways from my place) there was a hot air balloon seemingly setting down on or beside the highway. Of course, I took my camera and went out into the yard to take some photos... and that is when I saw most of the other balloons:

Of course, as always, if you would like to see a larger view, click on the photo.

(I am blessed to have a good zoom on my camera)

The Winter Carnival started Thursday, and every year there are Hot Air Balloon competitions as part of the Carnival. They usually land on the lake below my home, though not this year. I guess they decided it was not safe to drive their trucks on the lake this year as it's been fairly warm and the ice must not be as thick as it usually is... so they are using the fields just north of the lake instead.

I hopped into my truck and off I went, determined to get closer for a better 'photo op'.





So much better... and yet I could, I must get closer. Okay, so driving right up to it was my intent and I just stopped half way to get a different angle on things.







I took a lot more photos too, though I think this is enough for one post. I hope you enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed taking them. As I dashed out, I didn't even think to take a coat or gloves, was just wearing a short sleeve t-shirt and pants. With the wind chill and vehicles zooming by causing more wind, it got rather chilly after a while. I was glad to come home as all the balloons were being aired down and put to rest for the day.




- I am grateful that I am free to jump in my truck and go off to shoot photos whenever I so choose.
- I am grateful for both my digital cameras and the zoom lenses they have
- I am grateful for my truck, ever faithful and operational
- I am grateful for the gas in the tank of my truck
- I am grateful for the warm, comfortable comfortable home I have to come home to
- I am grateful for my eye sight, to see and be able to photograph things I find interesting
- I am grateful the beauty of the valley in which I live
- I am grateful for days with temperatures above freezing
- I am grateful for sunshine and blue sky
- I am grateful for comments left here by my visiters