Adirondack Balloon Flights Blog

Where or where has My Winter Gone?

Adirondack Balloon Flights — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:29:20 +0000

I know it’s been a while since my last post. It’s been kinda a blah winter, providing me little incentive to write. Anyhow, if you’re wondering where our winter went this year, last November, YNN posted a detailed video forecast on what to expect for December, January and February 2011-12, and it’s been spot-on. It’s the best explanation I’ve seen on cause and affect of seasonal trends of our regional weather. Listen and weep if you’re an outdoor winter weather enthusiast.

Santa by Hot Air Balloon

Adirondack Balloon Flights — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:03:44 +0000

How does Santa deliver all those gifts to all the kiddies when there is no snow for Santa’s sleigh?

Wire photo of a flight I did with friend Art Binley on 12/23/79 from the Empire State Plaza in Albany. We took off next to the State Christmas tree and the State Capitol Building so this shot could be framed by the photographer, Skip Dickstein..

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good Flight!

Been on the Road Again!

Adirondack Balloon Flights — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:04:47 +0000

We’ve been on the road again, visiting our friends the Leahy’s in Clayton two weeks ago, and this past Saturday Rick and Roseann for lunch at 2 Brothers in Middlebury VT.

On the road to Clayton on Rt 28, just past North Creek, along the Hudson River.

The further we got up into the Adirondacks, we found snow on the ground. It has been a mild winter so far.

The Rt 28 bridge crossing Long Lake - all open water, no ice so far.

Arriving in Clayton

Casa Leahy on John Street in Clayton.

Tani and Jane enjoying the evening holiday parade in Clayton

great fireworks after the parade.

An early morning stroll down to the river.

Boat on the water - Clayton is part of the 1000 Islands district, right on the St. Lawrence River.

a very sleepy downtown Clayton, early morning.

Wall mural art at the Koffee Kove Restaurant.

Another early morning view of the St. Lawrence River, looking toward Canada.

Sunset over the Adirondacks, heading south on Rt 87, after visiting w/bro Steve in Plattsburgh. It was a good lunch, but a long day of driving - about 4 hours to P'burg from Clayton, and then another 1.45 hrs. to Qby and home.

Last Saturday, we met our friends Rick and Roseann in Middlebury VT for lunch at the 2 Brothers. We went via Crownpoint to cross Lake Champlain on the newly built bridge.

The new bridge over Lake Champlain at Crown Point, toward Vermont.

Recent Doings!

Adirondack Balloon Flights — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:07:22 +0000

For Thanksgiving, wifey and I went to my sis’s daughter’s place, for a family gathering over in Avon CT. We returned to Queensbury the next day, to take-in an Adirondack Phantom’s hockey game Sat. night, and a Tony DeSare, “Home for the Holidays” concert at The Wood Theater in downtown GF on Sunday afternoon. It was a great 4 days of visiting, food and fun with fam.

On-the-road, leaving Queensbury early Thanksgiving morning for Avon CT.

At Bob and Jen's place in Avon CT for an extended fam Thanksgiving gathering.

Aunt Tani having fun with Jen's girls.

Unca Chuck and I stopped at Davidson's for a brew, while the ladies did their best for the economic development of downtown Glens Falls retail on Sunday afternoon.

The Tony DeSare Trio - I know it's dark, but take my word, it is a trio, that put on grove Sunday afternoon at The Wood.

Chuck and Tani enjoying the moment after the show at The Wood.

At the Exchange Street Plaza, the end of a great 4 days, Chris, Chuck and Tani.

Weather for the Week of 11/7

Adirondack Balloon Flights — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:21:35 +0000

Tuesday and Wednesday’s weather is a real pleasure to get this late in the fall. I could have used the dry weather we’ve been getting of late back in August, September and October when I was flying, or should I say, trying to fly between the rain drops. Oh well, such is life in the north-country. I guess, there is always next year? Later in the week and next week, the weather looks to get back to our usual for this year, wetter than normal-maybe?

Weekend Weather and Thing To Do

Adirondack Balloon Flights — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:44:03 +0000

The weekend weather forecast looks cool and sunny, with no rain forecast until well into the next week. While I can’t help you with balloon rides this weekend, there still are things to do in the area. Lake George is fairly quiet at this time of year, with many of it’s offerings no longer open. Yet, there are many good places to shop and dine this time of year. You have the factory outlets off exit 20 of I-87. Three of my favorite local restaurants are listed 1, 3 & 4 in this tripadvisor post. You have to add Bistro Leroux to the local good eats list. Saratoga Springs remains lively with many fine restaurants, minus its summer racing scene, and is a short drive down 87; plus Lake Placid is about an hour and a half north up I-87 and Rt 73. Hiking in the woods may not be a great idea, since hunting season now is open in the northern zone, which includes Lake George north into the Adirondacks. You can get an idea of things to do from a fairly complete list of goings-on from Lake George to Saratoga Springs on the LakeGeorge.com web site. Enjoy your time in the area.

Last Weekend of 2011 Flying Season

Adirondack Balloon Flights — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:38:16 +0000

Well, it’s a wrap. The weekend weather forecast brings an end to my 2011 flying season. Baker, Todd and I will see you in the Spring of 2012.

Time to put the balloon away. See you in 2012!

10/18-25 Trip to Charlottesville VA

Adirondack Balloon Flights — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:03:24 +0000

Recently back from a trip down south to visit w/bro Richard and his bride Vicky in Charlottesville VA. It’s a bit of a drive, around 9 hours, but it’s all interstate highway driving, so it’s rather painless, other than the heavy truck traffic on I-81. The worst is when you get stuck behind a snail race of passing trucks up a hill when there are only 2 lanes. Anyhow, the scenery from the highway is somewhat interesting to keep you entertained. One travel tip for anyone who is driving 81 north through Scranton & Wilkes-Barre PA, you may want to consider a go-around if you can, there is a construction back-up between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton that looked rather nasty. Heading back home, we took 80 off 81, to 380 N to 84 to the NYS Thruway. This route took around a 1/2 hour off our drive-time. Our trips to Virginia usually involve visits to wineries, good eats and a Hoos (the Virginia Cavaliers, WaHoos-don’t ask) football game and tailgate.

Here's the first winery on our multi day tour - Keswick

The view inside the tasting room. Virginia wines are similar to New York wines, good but not great; usually better whites than reds. The Viognier is the popular VA white.

Next up was a fav, Horton Cellars. Both wineries are near Gordonsville.

The happy tasters with their Horton souveniers.

Last winery on the day 1 tour is White Hall, near Skyline Drive. I bought a bottle of white, but not worth the drive in my opinion.

That night, we ate out at a Tapas style restaurant, Mas Tapas. It was an interesting place in an out of the way, funky part of town. The building is converted old industrial, with a modern decor. Sorry, no pics, but our food was good, as was our service-we went early. The next morning, we wanted to sample some local diner grub for breakfast. Brother’s bride Vic asked some co-workers at UVA what they would recommend, and they sent us off to The Tavern.

Roof sign says it all!

Portion sizes are huge. Of all the grub on the table, bro's sweet potato pancakes were the best of the lot, and no we didn't eat it all.

On day 2 of the winery tour, we visited Ash Lawn at Highland, the home of the 5th President, James Monroe.

Front of the home, that was an add-on to the original home built by Monroe. The big ash tree to the top-left was around 200 years old.

On the tour, the original part of the home built by Monroe is the white part on the left.

Wifey and Vic checking out the gardens.

For info, click on the link for Ash Lawn-Highland. Next we continued down 795 to the Trump Winery. We checked-in, then checked out-good grief, what an ego! Fortunately, on the same road was the Blenheim Vineyards, which we were told is owned by Dave Mathew’s of the Dave Mathew’s Band. They had some very nice wines and generous pours for tasting.

The Blenheim Vineyards.

Yes, we enjoyed our tasting.

On the way back into Charlottesville, we stopped at the Jefferson Vineyard, across from Monticello. The original vinyard was developed by Thomas Jefferson.

That night, we went out to eat at Orzo Kitchen and wine Bar. The food was good, but I enjoyed a place more that we went on a previous visit, Bang.

Orzo at the Main Street Market.

On next day we started low key with just some Kashie cereal, waiting for Vic to get her work chores done for her boss before we could continue with our food, wine and now Micro Brew Pub tour. We headed toward Crozet on 64, Afton and Wintergreen along 151. Our first stop was The Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton for lunch.

Lunch?

They had a fine selection of brews to sample. Miss Vicky was our dd for the day 3 tour.

Interior look of the brewery.

Next up, we visited a rather small winery, Flying Fox Vineyard. So, so wine, but got a couple of bottles anyway-don’t ask me why, just did?

At the Flying Fox Vinyard.

Heading down 151 for Wintergreen, and a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we came across a real nice Micro-Brew Pub, Devils Backbone Brewing Company in Roseland.

The Devils Backbone Brewery

We sat out on the patio to sample their wares. Brother and I had a real nice Porter, and the girls had coffee and cookies.

A very fine brew.

Next on the day 3 tour, was a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, back toward 64, Charlottesville and leftovers for dinner from the 1st night’s barbecue take-out.

The girls and the view south-west from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Overlook view to the west, northwest.

View to the east.

On day 4, no more touring cause it’s Hoos football day and tailgating. We start the day with breakfast at the Bluegrass Grill and Bakery in Downtown Charlottesville, and a visit to the farmers market and a walk down the downtown pedestrian mall.

The Bluegrass Grill

A very tasty breakfast, a bit more upscale than the fare we sampled at the Tavern a couple of days ago. I got corned beef hash again, but w/a poached egg this time, and a side of biscuits and gravy. My one concession to healthy eating (the poached egg that is;-).

Yam art at the farmers market.

View down the pedestrian mall from a previous visit.

Now, it’s time for some Hoos football and tailgating.

Some folks getttin' in the mood for some football.

Here's our party.

Time to get into the mood.

It's time for some football.

The view into the stadium from the students end.

It's game time!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the Jackson’s 2011 eating and drinking tour of the greater Charlottesville VA area. We did!!

Hot Air Balloon Ride Flying Weather for last Week of the Month

Adirondack Balloon Flights — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:37:32 +0000

The weather forecast for the rest of the week is not looking the best to get any flying done, at least as of this evening. The weather is starting to transition toward our winter season, and this morning, national news was showing snow from Golden Colorado. Our son Grant was living in Golden back in 2009, now living in Grand Junction on the other side of the mountains. On our visit in early November in 2009 we also experienced snow. We got snowed-on in mid April of that year also when we visited his family in Golden, so early/late snow isn’t unheard of. But, it doesn’t last.

The view down main street in Golden CO 11/13/09

This was at the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum up in the hills above Golden on our April visit

The same April snow in Golden

And the next day, it looks like this on the Front Range in Golden. That's not North East weather.

If I don’t get to do my Saturday flights, that will be it for this year for my hot air balloon rides. I will start flying again in the Spring of 2012.

Recent Hot Air Balloon Rides and Weather for the Week

Adirondack Balloon Flights — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:23:47 +0000

The Columbus Holiday Weekend featured the best flying conditions that we have seen all season. Unfortunately, our weather looks to return to it’s wet ways for this week and into the coming weekend. We did a lot of flying over the long holiday weekend, starting with Saturday morning.

On Saturday morning, I flew Paul and Laura from Broadalbin, celebrating Paul's birthday.

On Saturday afternoon, I flew Keith and Alexandra from Rotterdam. Keith proposed to Alexandra on the flight.

On Sunday morning, it was Chris and Maria from Ridgewood NY on-board.

On Sunday afternoon, it was Tim and Todd from New York City, and Jason and Samantha from Clifton Park.

On Monday morning, Bill and Kathy from Hagerstown MD flew. We took the afternoon off.

Tuesday morning, I flew Peter and Echol from Gloversville, the last of our string of flights.

I told you we had good flying conditions for Friday through Tuesday. Now, we rest and plan our trip to Virginia. Cheers everyone!