If you are planning a trip to the Napa valley, why not make it one of these special vacations. See it from a different angle - a hot air balloon.
Almost everyone has heard of the Napa Valley. It's famous for producting some of the best wine in California. The valley consists of six small towns - Calistoga at the northern tip, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville and finally,Napa at the southern end. Total population for the valley is 115,000, many of them artists and craftsmen.
Napa is truly a beautiful place. Giant evergreens point toward the sky. Rolling green hills fade to deep lavender in the distance. Misty, morning fog blankets the valley with a romantic veil, then breaks way to blue skies. This time of year, the vineyards turn warm autumn colors that would rival New England.
Nowhere can you enjoy these incredible views more than from a hot air balloon, and for the ultimate ballooning experience, there is a company called Balloons Above the Valley. Here FAA approved pilots with over 11,000 combined hours of ballooning logged will take you on a excursion above the breathtaking beauty of Napa.
Your ballooning experience will start early, about thirty minutes before sunrise. (That's somewhere between 5:30 A.M. and 7:00 A.M. depending on the time of year.) The most common launch site is the Domaine Chandon Winery in Yountville, but winds and fog can change this. Ballooning is a weather dependent activity. Not only do the pre-dawn schedules add to the spectacular drama, but also the weather is cooler at this time, and the winds are calmest. These are the ideal conditions for ballooning.
Dress casual in light layers and wear comfortable shoes. It will be chilly at first, but the sun and the burners in the baskets will warm you during the flight. Don't forget your camera and lots of film. You will want to remember this vacation. Video cameras are also allowed.
During the pre-flight portion of the morning, while the fan blows cool air into the balloon and is warmed by the burners, you can enjoy a snack of muffins, pastries, fruit and your choice of hot coffee, tea or chocolate. Gradually, the brightly colored balloon fills, then rises to an upright position. It's time to take flight,
The balloons, constructed fo rip-stop nylon or Dacron, move with the wind. Burners are alternately turned off and on to control altitude. Depending on the winds, you drift between 1,00 and 3,00 feet above the ground. The baskets stay still beneath the balloon.
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