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On the fourth day of our surprise getaway, I had something very special planned. Yes, even more special than a wine train in Napa Valley or the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Here were the hints:
1. It would blow him away.
2. He might pee his pants.
3. Multiple modes of transportation.
4. We have to be some place at 5:30 am.
On the way to our destination (at 5 am, I might add) he asked, "Are you taking me someplace special to see the sunrise?"
I smiled. "Yes. You guessed it."
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| Getting ready for take-off! |
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| Watching the sunrise over the Napa Valley. Of all the sunrises in my life, this was by far the most incredible. |
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| I loved looking over and seeing all the other balloons soar alongside with us. I'm getting chills just thinking about it! |
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Some tips:
1. We flew with Napa Valley Balloons and loved them. They were super friendly and professional.
2. The meeting place was the beautiful restaurant Etoile, where we were served pastries, fruit, and beverages.
3. Even though it's early, the temperature in a balloon is mild, so no heavy jackets are necessary. The flight was about an hour, which was plenty of time to take in the scenery and snap a few photos (okay, a few hundred).
4. I have a fear of heights, which is why I knew a hot air balloon ride would completely take Mr. Branflake off guard. Although at times my chest felt like there was a helicopter inside, the entire ride was smooth and peaceful. Well, aside from the 'I'm going to pee my pants' feeling I had when I looked straight down.
5. Our pilot was awesome. He's been doing this for thirty years so we knew we were in good hands.
6. The most physical part was climbing in and out of the wicker basket. No doors and no step stools!
7. We were served a post-flight brunch. It was amazing: eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, English muffins, and cream cheese so creamy I thought it was butter.
8. It's surreal being in a wicker basket two thousand feet in the air. Bring a friend and hang on tight!
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Have you ever been in a hot air balloon?
If not, would you do it?
ps... yes, those are my socks above.
I bought them just for the occasion from Sock City!
45 comments:
OH my goodness!! What a great way to see the sunrise!! Wow. I have always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon, but I am also scared of heights like... really bad. Your photos are lovely. The breakfast sounds soo good too. (:
These are great photos! (and your socks are something else! haha!)
I don't know if I could do it. I have an overwhelming fear of heights. I get scared ON A SWING!
@hollie-
I TOTALLY get scared on swings also! It makes my stomach get fluttery!
I would LOVE to do this!
Get OUT!!!! I've always wanted to do that! I seriously have chills looking at these photos and knowing that you did this. So amazing! Thanks for giving me the name of the company because I will definitely use them next trip to Napa. Eeek I'm so excited that I want to plan my next trip right this minute! :) xoxo
I get chills just from looking at all the amazing pictures! No, I have never been on a hot balloon ride, but it is definitely something I want to do some day!
xxx
How SPECTACULAR! I need you to plan romantic getaways for me!
ahhhhhh that's on my list! so jealous, my husband has an intense fear of hights sooo it will be a miracle if i get this chance. love.
NO WAY! this is SO awesome! totally adding this to my bucket list!
This is incredible I so envy you!
this is AMAZING. my son is obsessed with hot air balloons...he watches videos on you tube about them. would love to be able to take him on one one day!
[oomph.]
OH MY GOSH. That is awesome! And you make me feel like I could go on one of these, I have a fear of heights too but you give me hope!
You are fearless, nothing would get me in that basket!]
It looks beautiful but I doubt I would see any sights if I did an air ballon. You could find me curled up on the floor in the fetal position. No heights for me, thank you ma'am! Very brave of you to do so however!
oh my gosh, that looks incredible!! i want to do that one day!
:D I get to go up on one it TWO WEEKS!! I just found out today! Seeing your pictures makes me SO excited for it!!
those pictures are unreal awesome!!
and LOVING the socks!
xo
When I was staying in Napa last summer, I went for a run early one morning and saw the hot air balloons flying. It was beautiful. That said, I think I'd prefer to stay on the ground rather than go up in one.
This is SO amazing! And your pictures are incredibly beautiful! What a fun surprise.
I've always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon... you've made me want it even more now.
xoxo
What an amazing surprise! This looks glorious. I love your photos, and love napa - what a way to see it! Gorgeous.
your pictures are so beautiful- even though I know you were kind of freaked out it looks like the calmest experience in a way too. might just be the lovely pics! I've always wanted to do this.
O. My. Amazing. I have just added this to my California bucket list. Such beautiful pictures!
We did a flight over Napa in a balloon for our first anniversary. It was beautiful. And it was scarier than I thought it would be because there's nothing holding you in the basket but you!
how fun!!! this looks positively magical :) xoxo jillian:: cornflake dreams
What an amazing trip you planned - He must have been blown away. Was it scary? I'm afraid of heights. I don't know if I'd freak out. I think it would be so totally cool though, a once in a lifetime experience. xo
never been - and i don't think i can go in one either - i'm too afraid of heights - i'd probably sh*t a brick and be crying the whole time huddled in the corner begging to go back down - :o)
Ohmigosh what a magical way to see the sunrise, Tiffany! I LOVE the fact that you wore hot air balloon-print socks - such a clever clue!! :)
Wow! How exciting! Great photos and what a special surprise.
leslie
ohmyLORD. girl, you are brave. and your pics are so fab. i could NEVER EVER DO IT. then again i have been on airplanes, but THAT awful process just about kills me (even tho i seem to forget about the height thing after a while when i am in those particular flying death traps. weird. maybe now i will obsess on that more. lol!)
it is a shame that i can't ride in a hot air balloon, as it looks so beautiful and so peaceful. i am so glad you had the best time! and that YOU LANDED SAFELY. :)
How pretty and wondrous, I really want to do this now (if I could be so brave)
wow, that looks incredible. i'm so glad you faced your fear and did it anyway. good for you. it looks worth it.
x
Am adding this to my bucket list!! I love the pictures of the balloons. so elegant and beautiful.
oh i've always wanted to do this! and i'm afraid of heights too, but if you made it through okay than i'm sure i'd be fine. it definitely looks worth it!!!
This is SO COOL. I'm supremely jealous of you! And awesome photographs!!
No, I haven't. Yes, I would. And, WOW! what an incredible experience. Thanks for sharing it with us!
So glad that you enjoyed yourself (I love Napa). There's nothing like a hot air balloon experience, we did it one year and I was still in shock afterward. Great photos! :)
Oh my goodness. Just--wow! I've never been in a hot air balloon, but I've always wanted to and been absolutely terrified to do so at the same time. I imagine flying over Napa is one of the most beautiful rides you could take.
Sounds like so much fun!
oh my! how romantic is this!? ive never been in a hot air balloon before!!
In a second...looks fabulous!!
Wow, what an amazing experience!!! First off, I love Napa Valley. It's so beautiful, and second, a hot air balloon ride would be so much fun! Great post :)
xoxo,
Taylor
Taylor Morgan Design
oh my gosh incredible!!
Something I have always always wanted to do. Looks so lovely and romantic! xoxo
And I thought the hanging bridges was brave of me.... You totally amaze me! I would have never been able to make it though I've always wanted to!
omg i would neeever!!! but that is so awesome! i have irrational fears of flying to begin with, ha! i love your pics
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