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 Last year on this night, the hot air balloons simply floated
slowly from one end of the airport to the other. This year was a bit
better.
Concerns for meteorological conditions that could quickly lead to
storms, and light winds that would not move balloons very far
quickly, lent to strategizing an alternate plan on this evening. The
six hot air balloons set to launch from the airport were sent away,
not too far, to remote locations to fly into the airport.
LDN's Angela Reiners rode in the balloon named 'Sun Glow' piloted by
Sherry Ireland with help from Jim Ireland.
Balloonists launched from north of the Parkway and west of Nicholson
Road. As the balloons slowly drifted southeast toward the airport,
occupants were treated to a leisurely view of cornfields and the
Mayfair Subdivision.
 Sherry Ireland explained how different altitudes help steer the
balloons in different directions. Motion is driven by the prevailing
wind direction. As the balloon reached altitudes between 150 and 250
feet, she was able to steer it towards the airport.
As Sun Glow soared above the cornfields, treetops, and rooftops,
landmarks such as the courthouse, water tower, and bottle factory
along with several businesses along Kickapoo Street were easy to
spot.
Reiners noted that looking out over the city rather than straight
down was the best way to keep any fear of heights at bay. She
enjoyed the calm winds saying it felt like floating on air.
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Once the balloon landed at the Logan County Airport, the crew
deflated, packed, and loaded up the equipment in about 25 minutes.
Putting the 90,000 cubit foot balloon back in its storage bag is a
bit like packing up a huge sleeping bag. The hard work of the flight
crew makes it all go very quickly.
Jim Ireland and his wife Nancy have lived in Lincoln for many years
and have been part of the Lincoln Balloon Festival since it began.
Nancy Ireland said they first became interested in hot air balloons
while attending a hydroplane boat race. She said there were several
balloons there and Jim wanted to ride in one. Five years later, Jim
Ireland took his first hot air balloon ride and said, “I want to own
one someday.”
In 1989, the Irelands starting flying balloons. They have
participated in events throughout the Midwest and also the
well-known balloon festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico with around
800 balloons.
For the Irelands, the most enjoyable part of ballooning is “seeing
the smiles and excitement on the faces of the children,” in addition
to the many friends they have made through piloting a balloon.
The experience of floating above Lincoln and seeing it from an
aerial view is one not to miss.
[Angela Reiners]
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