Flying in the Slow Lane

Dogs distrust hot air balloons. I gathered this tidbit asin their nest. We waved reassurance to cows whose
my husband and I floated over the mountains in amoos voiced concern at our strange presence
wicker gondola, listening to the barking chorus thatoverhead and we called "good morning" to the folk
followed us even 3,000 feet into the air. The burnerwho blessed us with their waves.
evokes canine protest -- but we had no problems, as
we drifted with the currents and contemplated the"Are those sheep?" my husband wondered, pointing
silent fog in its morning retreat over the hills.to toy animals far below. "No," said our pilot placidly.
"Cows." They turned out to be horses, but who cared.
We learned that a mere a six foot rise in altitude canFor the duration of our flight, nothing mattered, and that
change your direction, if your vehicle is a hot air balloon.was perhaps the biggest lesson of the morning. Letting
We learned that the tops of trees look a lot differentgo of anxiety. Letting go of fear. Letting go of
from above, and birds look surprised if you greet themexpectations.