Somerset Hot Air Balloon Rides

I’ve only been in a hot air balloon once.  It was when I was a junior in high school and I visited my friends in England for a month.

Well, actually, that month turned into nearly six weeks.  I was diagnosed with the mumps during my visit and I was forbidden to return to the U.S. until the illness passed.  As it turned out, I had very light symptoms so I was able to enjoy my extended trip.  I also was able to get out of the summer band practices.  Given how hot a Texas August is, I didn’t mind having to skip those. 

In any case, it was a very memorable experience.  Our ride was scheduled for dawn so that we could watch the sun rise.  We got up early and traveled to the launch site.  The balloon was stretched out on the ground.  They set it upright and began running the burners.  I was a bit shocked at how loud those things are.  You always hear how quiet a balloon ride is. 

There were low clouds blanketing the area, so it was quite dark.  We all piled into the basket and began ascending.  We pushed through the clammy cloud deck and when we got above it, the view was absolutely stunning.  The rising sun case an endless array of colors through the sky which were further amplified by the clouds refracting the new light.  As far as the eye could see, small hills, many topped by ancient edifices, pierced the cloud deck as if yearning for the first light.  The thought of the centuries over which those same structures had greeted the sun filled one with a sense of awe. 

Specifically, we saw Glastonbury Tor.  It looked about like this:

We also walked up the the Tor one day.  It’s quite a view, if you can avoid the sheep poop. 

If you’re ever in the Somerset area, I highly recommend it.