I want to wish all readers of this blog a belated Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year! I intend to periodically post during the winter, some pics and stories of ballooning adventures from my past. This will be my 37th year in ballooning, and there are a few interesting experiences from the early days that would be difficult to duplicate today. I may even post some opinions on the state of hot air ballooning as I see it today. So, if you have been following this blog and you have an interest in hot air balloons, periodically check back to see what I post. I probably will also post some personal stuff on what’s currently going on for me. I will again post pictures from our flights when our balloon ride season gets going in the spring, some time in April or May. So, all the best to us all as we head into this new decade.
Archive for December, 2009
Year End Post
Thursday, December 31st, 2009Winter has arrived
Monday, December 14th, 2009Took a drive over to our favorite lunch place in Washington County over in Salem, Steininger’s, on Saturday. The drive goes through our balloon flying area. There are beautiful country views of the upper Hudson River Valley, the Adirondack’s of New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont.

The flying area, looking north toward the southern Adirondack's. The Hudson River is off to the left in the tree line.

An old farm house over by West Mountain in Queensbury NY near where I live.

One of Washington County's oldest homes on the way to Steininger's near the Hebron's.
Changing Weather
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009Last week was still fairly mild for late Fall, but, by the weekend, the 1st real snowfall of the season.

Friday 12/4 was still fairly mild in Lake George Village

Another 12/4 Lake George View

Early morning 12/5, first real snowfall of the season!

The Schroon River in Warrensburg
Later I’ll post some pictures of today’s snowstorm which produced around 8 inches. The ski hills should be much happier now and should be able to open more terrain for sliding. Prior to today’s snow, the local ski hill-West Mt-barely had any snow made and was not open. Gore only had one trail open over the weekend and Whiteface also had limited terrain open for skiers and boarders. Over in VT, Okemo, Killington and Stowe were open but Stratton had not as of the weekend.