2009-07-24 21:47:02 - The 2009 Seven Lakes State Park Balloon Race will take place July 25 & 26, 2009. Balloon launches will occur both days weather permitting at 7pm in the grass area behind the Main Beach at Big Seven Lake.
Other activities are planned including a "walk in the balloons" after 2pm and tethered balloon rides after 5pm and a balloon glow about 9:30pm... all of course weather permitting. The park is located between Fenton and Holly between US-23 and Interstate 75. Take Grange Hall Road to Fish Lake Road to reach the park entrance. For more details contact the
park at 248-634-7271. The event is sponsored by Balloon Quest.
Ballooning is an incredible experience for both those on the ground and those in the gondola itself. Those who operate hot air balloons in Michigan love to share it with anyone daring enough to take flight. As an avid hot air balloon pilot since 1982 and fan of Michigan’s natural wonders, Scott Lorenz has been fortunate to see the beauty of Michigan from a slightly above the treetops.
“Just about every year we fly directly over a great blue heron rookery located on an island in Kensington Park’s Kent Lake near Milford. It’s pretty incredible to see dozens of these giant birds with their six-foot wing spans hovering around their nests. We’ve peered down directly into their bushel basket sized nests with one or two eggs,” says Lorenz, President of Westwind Balloon Company. www.westwindcos.com/balloon/
“I flew an Ornithologist from the University of Michigan a few years ago and he helped me identify dozens of birds by sight and sound. Now I recognize the sweet call of Sand Hill Cranes half a mile away and tell my passengers to keep an eye out for them. I am fortunate to meet some incredible people in my business and learn something from every flight.” “In fact, I flew the Chief Meteorologist from Ann Arbor’s Weather Underground. Considering hot air ballooning is 100% weather related I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions about the nuances of Michigan weather at sunrise and sunset. Lorenz has flown some notables too including Lila Lazarus from FOX-2 along with a passenger whose last wish was to fly in a balloon, which was all caught on tape by the FOX-2 helicopter in hot pursuit. Legendary Detroit guitarist Josh White even brought his guitar along for a concert in the air. “There’s never a dull moment in this business.”
What’s the best time to go? Hot air balloons fly in Michigan May thru October. Lorenz says “springtime is nice, but summer’s pretty cool too and you can’t beat the fall colors in October!”
Most balloon rides last about one hour and Lorenz flies over the woods and streams of Kensington Park. He and several other pilot friends meet at Park 'n Ride area off Milford Road and I-96 (exit # 155) about 2 1/2 hours before sunset. From there he’ll launch helium balloons, determine the wind direction, then take a short drive to one of nine launch sites in the area that give the best views and best landing sites downwind.
“Sometimes the landing can be like taking an elevator ride and others can be a little more exciting that’s why great care is taken in making the ‘go’ or ‘no-go’ decision on each flight based upon the weather,” says Lorenz.”
What to wear? Lorenz suggests passengers wear tennis shoes and jeans. He says the air temp “upstairs” is within a couple degrees of ground temp so it’s not a factor. Cameras and video cameras are highly recommended to preserve the once in a lifetime moments while flying over the countryside.
Flights cost $695 for a private ride which is two passengers and the pilot. All flights are pre-paid. Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover and PayPal are accepted. Gift certificates are available.
To really appreciate all that Michigan has to offer, call a balloonist and schedule a flight today, because if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you … the view is better from above.
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