by Sheila Rae Watson

Created on: May 15, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

With hands tightly clamped onto the sides of the basket, we white knuckled it as we achieved "LIFT OFF" in the basket of our assigned hot air balloon.

What a thrill, moreover what a challenge! For it is one thing to take a hot air balloon ride in the summer when the air is warm, but quite another to ascend through the frosty morning air in mid-December allowing yourself to be lofted up, up and away in frozen air.

But loft we did! Soon we were high above the cold surface of the Mammoth Lakes Recreational Area; with cold, crisp air biting our cheeks, as if saying, "You don't belong here!"

As we rose through the winter air in our giant rainbow colored mushroom, a fine layer of the frost crystals adhered itself to our hats, mittens and wildly blinking eyelashes. We didn't care and our white knuckles were the proof. For we were beholding Mammoth Lakes Recreational Area in all her winter majesty!

Below us, a beautiful blanket of color was spread; carefully constructed and only for our eyes.

This crazy quilt was impressive! Made with white mounds of cottony soft snow and held together by wild threads of black, zigzagging frozen streams and creeks. Brilliant multi-colored sparkles bounce off frozen lakes with contrasting touches of forest green adding balance into the masterminded canopy. This beauty was tailor-made for us, by the hand of Jack Frost himself.

Forgotten was the work done in preparation for this view, this ride. Before the dead balloon could arise however, everyone was encouraged to lend a helping hand during these preparations. The basket and balloon were pulled into position, the two propane burners were loudly ignited, and a blue flame pushed hot air into the rainbow billows. Ever so slowly, the billows filled with hot air and this "mammoth" takes shape. What was once lying still and cold, is now totally engorged, warm and alive. It is time to go!

Once airborne, the Pilot must know what he is doing, ever able to regulate altitude and propane burners thus keeping us floating through the air. Hot air balloons have no steering wheel, so our worthy Pilot must monitor wind currents, speed and direction at all times. But this is all beside the point for we were there, high above the valley floor, thrilled beyond measure, in our beautiful balloon!

All too soon our trek with Mammoth Balloon Adventures came to an end. Our trusted Pilot capably guided our "mammoth" to a perfect, soft landing. Sadly we are once again stuck to the frozen earth, no longer floating high above the frosty ground.

We will never forget our voyage into the atmosphere there at Mammoth Lakes Recreational Area! For it was a magic trip in a gentle rocking ship.

This is a must do when you plan your vacation in the Mammoth Lakes area!

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