So, right about now, I should probably be doing homework, but instead, I'm here writing to you guys. And, since the internet is abuzz with random themes for each day, and Thursday is now Throwback Thursday, I thought I would share a "throwback" that is one of my favorite memories.
I was actually talking about it today with my grandpa, and it includes him. You see, as a kid, I was kind of on the daredevil side. I was determined to be the first to try stuff. When my older sister swam into the deep end first, I decided that I had to touch the bottom of the deep end first. I succeeded. And, even though I have a fear of heights, when my grandpa suggested that for my 10th birthday, he would take me for a hot air balloon ride, I went for it. I remember spending the night at my grandparent's house (the first time I had ever done that by myself), and waking up at 5 in the morning. There was a hoot owl outside the window, making its eerie noises. Despite that, I was beyond excited. I decided that for breakfast, I had to have granola, just like
Grandpa. It was from Trader Joe's. (I don't know why I remember that detail, I just remember). This guy came early in the morning, and he and his crew stretched the balloon out over a field at Grandpa's house. They brought this huge fan, and started blowing air into the balloon. The balloon was HUGE. They inflated it sideways, which surprised me. Once they got it inflated, it was big enough that I could have walked inside of it (I was really tempted to, actually). Finally, after what seemed like ages, we were getting ready to take off. We climbed inside a basket (which was a lot bigger than what I had expected, since my only experience with hot air balloons was what I had seen in cartoons). Slowly, the balloon moved up and up and up and up and still up. I remember pointing out my aunt's house from the air, and I could see them waving. They seemed tiny, like little ants. We didn't go very far, but I didn't care. I was way up in the air, in a hot air balloon. I felt like I could see everything. I vaguely remember being concerned that I might fall out, but the adventure of it all was more exciting than my concern. Eventually, we landed the balloon in a field just a short ways from my Grandpa's house. I remember seeing cow bones as we were drifting down, and thinking of the Lion King and the elephant graveyard. But I reassured myself that MY adventure was WAY better than Simba's.
After we landed the balloon, and the man and his crew folded it up and packed it away, we all drove back to my Grandpa's house, where the man awarded me a certificate, and a pin. Then to celebrate, they had me drink a red Solo cup full of sparkling cider without using my hands. I had officially taken my first hot air balloon ride. I still have the pin, the certificate, and all the memories. It's a small pin, that says "Cheers Over California." I love thinking back on that day and remembering the sense of adventure I felt. Maybe someday soon, I will go for another hot air balloon ride.
Til Next Time,
CrazyGirl♥
