The notice in the newspaper intrigued me. It called for volunteers to help with a hot air balloon race, which was taking place in a few days in a nearby park. I remember thinking, “Hmmm. Maybe I could use this experience in a novel someday.” We lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada at the time, and my children were small, but I talked my family into volunteering with me, thinking it might be a fun experience. And it was!
We were assigned to a balloonist on the day of the race, and our first task was to help him unload the wicker gondola, burners, fans and a huge canvas bag from the back of his pickup truck. Then we set to work pulling the enormous balloon from the bag and spreading it out on the ground. And I do mean enormous! It could have covered our entire house. Next, we set up fans in front of the balloon’s opening and held it open like a huge mouth until the cavity was filled with air. My husband and another volunteer held onto the guide ropes at the top of the balloon so it wouldn’t blow away before we were ready.
Meanwhile, the balloonist set up the gondola and burners, and attached them to the balloon, which was rising up as it filled with air as if coming to life after a long slumber. In fact, we were surrounded by swelling balloons on all sides. What a magnificent sight!
The balloonist had warned us to cover our ears when he fired the burners but I forgot, and the sudden roar made me jump out of my shoes. The warm air from the burners gave the balloon lift and it rose to its full height, tugging against the ground ropes as if ready to soar. It was time for the pilot to jump aboard and take off along with all the others. They would be sailing on the wind and following a chase balloon, which would be dropping a marker flag somewhere in the countryside, wherever the wind took it. The balloon that managed to drop a flag closest to the marker would be the winner.
Our pilot’s gondola was very small, so none of us got to ride with him. But as soon as he took off we became his chase team, following along behind him in his pickup truck so he wouldn’t be stranded in the middle of nowhere when his fuel ran out. The chase was an adventure in itself! We had to watch the skies and the roadway at the same time, always trying to keep the balloon in sight. Winnipeg is divided by two rivers, so we had to backtrack a few times in order to find a bridge across them. Things got exciting with all three kids searching the skies until we spotted our balloon once again.
It landed safely in a farmer’s field outside of town, and he was very happy to see us roll up a few minutes later in his truck. After we helped him stuff the gigantic balloon back into the bag and reload all of the equipment, he drove us to the park to retrieve our car. All in all, it was a fun way to spend a summer evening, and the experience of a lifetime for our family. Years later, one of our kids confessed that he took adventures like that one for granted when he was young. It wasn’t until he spent time with his school friends that he realized not everyone’s mother was a crazy writer who volunteered for outrageous experiences like this.
And guess what? If you read my newest book, “Fly Away,” you’ll find that my characters also volunteer for a hot air balloon race. Nothing is ever wasted in the life of a writer! “Fly Away” was successfully launched four days ago as an e-book and in print. An audio version is also in the works. It tells the stories of two very different people—one learning how to live and the other how to die. But it isn’t a sad book at all. In fact, my early readers tell me they laughed out loud in places. If you would like to enter for a chance to win one of two free copies, be sure to leave your name and a comment below.
And while you’re waiting to see if you win, be sure to check your local newspaper like I did to see if there are any interesting adventures you can volunteer for. You don’t have to be a crazy writer (or one of her children) to have fun. Enjoy!
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This book sounds very interesting! I’ve always loved when I spot a hot air ballon in the distance. 🙂
What an adventure! Most people find adventure in the pages of a book through reading. It must have been fun to relive yours through writing! Thanks for sharing. I like the idea in your book, when you described it, I imagined the two characters going through the same experiences together, but with different mindsets that enhanced their appreciation of the journey. Putting it on my to-read list!
This sounds like a fun book! My kids don’t have a writer mom, but a homeschool event coordinator mom… they ‘get’ to try out all of the games I come up with ahead of time. They are teens now and I think they’ve figured out not everyone plays balloon volleyball in the living room or has a minute to win it tournament on a Friday morning before school. 🙂
I love watching hot air balloons 🎈. I would love to read this book. Enjoyed reading this. Blessings
You’re obviously courageous and adventuresome, not crazy! I’d love to read Fly Away and thoroughly enjoyed reading this account of your family’s volunteering in a balloon race.
What an interesting story!
Have you ever been to the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico? It’s a big one!
What a fun adventure. Thanks for sharing. Would love to read the book.
I’ll never forget the first time the kids and I experienced a hot air balloon fly low over our house. We carried on a conversation with the passengers until the wind carried them away.
We have a hot balloon launch coming up this weekend. Maybe I will have an adventure like you did. Would love to read the new book!
What a fantastic opportunity!
I look forward to reading your book!
i have thought hot air balloons very fun since watching “The Wiazrd of Oz” as a child.
Great story of a memorable adventure with the hot air balloon race! Looking forward to reading this new book!
I lenjoy watching hit air balloons and think it would be neat to be able to get close up and help with an event. The book sounds good too. Ellen Gray
We drove early one morning from Tuscaloosa to Decatur Alabama to watch the launching of a hot air balloon race. It was so interesting.. Our daughter made the newspaper looking up as the balloons began gaining height.
My mother paid a local man a few years ago to let her ride with him in his balloon. That was something she had always wanted to do.
With your experience, I think the.book should be in a very interesting read
And have you ever made it on a hot air balloon? I would love to do that but your adventure does sound like it was fun!
I would like to win a copy of your book Fly Away.
I have always thought about what it would be like to go up in a Hot Air Balloon.
Nearby every June a local town has a Balloon-Fest.
It is so beautiful seeing all of the balloons go up.
Thank you for the Giveaway.
DJ
Sounds like a fun book. I live in Altona, MB so am familiar with WInnipeg
My friend celebrated her 70th birthday in a hot air balloon.
She will be 80 this week. I wonder what will she do for an encore?
My husband and I volunteered with a hot air balloon event years ago. We enjoyed being the “chasers”. We helped set up the balloon and get it going and then, jumped in the “chase” vehicle to see where it landed. Yes, our balloon landed in a field full of cows. The owner of the farm was gracious and came out to watch as we collected the balloon and headed on our way. Some property owners were not as happy because the balloon scared their horses. We did enjoy a great time. It is definitely hard work, but lots of fun. 🙂
Sounds like a neat book to read! I love seeing hot air balloons!
Sounds like a fun book. Would love to read it! Thanks for the opportunity!
Hot air balloons are so beautiful and so fascinating. I would love to read this fun book. Thank you for the opportunity.
I love your description of your family’s adventure. Would enjoy reading your novel. Blessings!
Thanks for the chance to win! Sounds like a great book!
how wonderful. I have always wanted to go on an air balloon ride. just seems so exciting and still safe. LOL I would do things like this with our children. our son loved all the new experiences, our daughter thought we were all mad and wanted nothing to do with us. today our son still does adventures with his wife of two years and our daughter has told us she was sorry to have been such a downer. (actually we didn’t let her effect us, just brought her along anyway) and today she has lots of adventures with her friends.
I’ve always wanted to ride in an air balloon. Maybe some day!
It’s interesting to read about what prompted you to write a story. Thanks for the meaningful stories you write. I am always eagerly waiting for your next one.
Yes I would like to enter to win a copy of your book Fly Away. I’m Shirley Chapel and here is my comment.
I confess to be a hot air balloon fan. I’m not adventurous enough to own one or fly one but I think they are very beautiful. One time when we lived in town there was one of these adventures you speak of and one of the hot air balloons actually brushed down so low that his basket hit the top of the neighbors tree between our houses. Another time and another adventure found us in our new lake front home where another ballonist did the same thing over the lake where the basket of his balloon came done and touched the water. Nerve wrecking. But I do love to watch them because they are so colorful.
I would be terrified to ever ride a hot air balloon, but I love to see them floating along in the air. They always make me think of The Wizard of Oz, and the episode of Little House on the Prairie where Carrie has to he rescued from a runaway balloon. Lol! ☺
I would love to win a paperback
What a fun adventure! I would love to read Fly Away and appreciate the giveaway opportunity!
I would love to be entered into your contest. Your hot air balloon story was fun to read and made me remember a casual friend (who is also a published author). Her father was a hot air balloonist. (hope I used that word right). I’ve loved her stories of her adventures with her father.
I loved reading about your experience volunteering for the balloon race. It sounds like a lot of work but definitely fun.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your new book.
“…when his fuel ran out.”
How interesting!I hadn’t thought about why they might decide to land in a location.
I would like to be the winner of another Lynn Austin adventure! My very favorite? “Wonderland Creek”
I could easily identify with Alice as the story begins because I always keep a book handy. You never know when you will have an occasion to read.
“I didn’t plan on reading—you make me sound like such a horrible person. But I started the chapter during my lunch break at work, and then I had to stop right in the middle of it when my hour was up. All afternoon I’ve been dying—pardon the expression—to find out what happened. So when the eulogies went on and on and I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters, I decided to take just a tiny peek and . . . and how was I supposed to know that I would get pulled back into the story again?”
Thank you for offering this giveaway of “Fly Away.” Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
It sounds like a great story. I really enjoy your books !
What a fun person you are! Not a scared bone in your body! I would like to be more like you, that’s for sure. This book sounds fantastic, Lynn.
What an exciting adventure! I would love to take a hot air balloon ride in Colorado.
I’m excited to read Fly Away! Thank you for the chance.
Looking forward to reading the book. What a fun experience for a family! I love to see the balloons in flight!
What fun! It’s great to make such wonderful memories. Your book sounds fascinating. I’d love to win a copy.
When our children were small we came upon a team setting up a hot air balloon in Letchworth State Park (New York State.) We watched for about an hour as they set up everything and watched the balloon lift off. Thirty years later out kids still talk about that amazing day. I’m sure being on the chase team was an incredible treat for all of you.
I’m looking forward to reading Fly Away.
I just finished one of your older books last night, Though Waters Roar. I’d love to win this new one! We used to live in a town that had a hot air balloon gathering annually. I wonder if they used volunteers, too – I never heard about it if they did, but it sounds like so much fun.
What an interesting adventure for the whole family. I would like to read your book, too. Thank you.
What a fun memory for your kids! Enjoyed reading about the chase. Have never seen a balloon race. They have a balloon festival over the mountains here in the fall. Must be quite a sight with all of them in the air.
Riding in a hot air balloon is on my bucket list! Unfortunately my husband won’t go with me, so someday I’ll get some girlfriends together to go 🙂 Your new book looks great, thanks for the giveaway!
It obviously takes a lot of time and patience to prepare these beautiful hot air balloons for their excursions. Your new book sounds like a great insight for different ways to journey through life and live it to the fullest. I know that I will enjoy reading it.
That is a fun experience! We went several times to watch balloons take off in the early hours of the morning. So beautiful. And LOUD. Yes. Fun that you were able to use that adventure in your book. Congratulations!
Both your experience and your new book sound amazing. 🙂
I don’t know if I’d ever have the courage to go up in a hot air balloon (maybe a tethered one) but I do love seeing them. Congratulations on your new book–it’s going on my “to read” list.
Seeing the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic for several years, I have always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon. Never did help with the crew. We used to live closer to where the balloons would take off over Labor day weekend.
Awesome sight!. Would love to win a free copy of your book Fly Away.
I love your stories, ad will no doubt, love this one too! Thanks for the opportunity!
Looks like a book I would enjoy reading. Thanks for the interesting interview.
I had a similar experience. I had a new neighbor, who came home from work just as a hot air balloon was spotted in the sky. I was outside & even barefoot. He yelled & asked if I wanted to go follow the balloon. It laned in the river bottom (near my home on the Ohio River). What a thrill that was for me! Thanks for reminding me… do something impulsive.
Love your description of your family’s adventure chasing the hot air balloon! Hope to get the chance to read Fly Away soon!
What a fun experience! I imagine it was made even more fun because your whole family could share in it. The book sounds really good. I always enjoy reading your books. Thanks for having a book giveaway.
I love watching hot air balloons..
Sounds like a really good read. I’ll be looking for it.
Can’t wait to read this!!
-Megan
Flying away in a balloon! This has been on my bucket list since I first saw the Wizard of Oz. Such a beautiful way to travel. Reading your book would be perfect!
What a wonderful memory! Sometimes we get to go somewhere fun for my small blog (SeaWorld, or Busch Gardens….etc) My kids are so proud of their blogging mama. The funny thing is, I tend to keep it a secret and I don’t tell anyone at work about my blog.
Would love to win a copy of your new book “Fly Away”. Sounds like a fun book. I have enjoyed all your other books.
thank you for the giveaway!
I love every Lynn Austin book I’ve read; I want to read ALL of them!My daughter told me about Fire By Night from our church library and it is my favorite so far. Then I read every one from that library and then started at the Public Library. I’ve read nearly all of them and now am looking at online used book sights to find the ones that I haven’t read!Obviously, I would love to win Fly Away and the Chronicles Books! I got 3 wrong in your quiz. Thank you for writing great books!
That sounds fun! My brother-in-law has helped with hot air balloons and also loves taking pictures of them. I confess, I haven’t done anything that exciting!
Hot air balloons are pretty, but I’m afraid of heights, so I’ll admire them from a distance. 😂
I have seen air balloons and would love to have the chance to be on one. they are so pretty. Tigard Oregon does a balloon festival each year, in june.
We used to watch the balloon launches at Forest Park in St. Louis. They were so pretty. This sounds like a vey interesting book. Thanks.