Surprise Balloon Festival

We've been hearing the fire-breathing dragons and spotting two to three of the big bright balloons that make that sound almost every weekend through July and into August, but when we woke up on Saturday the 15th around 7 am, it sounded like more than just a couple. We peeked out and saw a handful of hot air balloons already in the air, and it looked like there were more coming from the park, so the kids and I grabbed some shoes and ran out to check things out. (Gregg was still snoozing, but he eventually joined us at the park.)

We got to the park and got to watch a few more in their finishing stages of preparing to launch. It was so wonderful to see so many (I think I counted about 10 balloons) show up for this impromptu launch. If it was a normal year, this would have been the weekend of the festival, and I was feeling a bit bummed thinking about it not happening, so it was amazing to be some of the few that live close enough (or happened to be driving/walking/biking by on an early Saturday morning) to be a part of it. It was like our own private festival. It made my whole weekend! How can you not smile when you see those colors in the blue, blue sky?! Best morning ever!

They were squealing with delight as we walked/ran to the park.

I love the new colorful quilt block on this cute little barn - I thought it matched the balloons perfectly!

We were so happy to see the owl balloon - one of our faves!

I can't think of a more scenic place to watch a balloon.

This one was new to us! So pretty!

I couldn't stop grinning! They're just so cheery.

The balloons were lined up in this perfect half circle over this tree and barn, but I couldn't get them all in one shot, so here is part one.

And here is part two.

We came home and made waffles - it just felt like the right thing to do on a surprise balloon festival day since we always seem to have waffles after watching a launch. Delish!