The Big Orange Balloon

Oh my goodness I completely forgot I had a blog... well not really but it seems that way. There are 4 posts that I started but never finished so I'm starting and finishing this one.

Backstory:  My friend Shannon started this To-Do list of activities she had never done before, well then I jumped on the bandwagon along with Javi.  So on Shannons iphone we have a list and have started marking things off.  I am also now hoping that when we mark something off I will blog about the adventure we went on. 

This post is about  going on the Big Orange Balloon at Irvine Great Park.  The Park is very new and once was a Airforce base that they are trying to transform into the "Central Park of the West Coast".  It is a very slow process and they are trying to be as green as possible.  They have taken the old cement from the runways and moved it around to form the sidwalks of the park.  They are building a canyon and a lake and walking trails, if it all finally happens it will be a beautiful park in the next 20+ years.  Right now there is not much to it, a carasel, a small kids playground, a farmer's market on Sunday's, and the main attraction The Big Orange Balloon.   It is a helium filled Balloon that is tethered to the ground and goes straight up 400 feet in the air.  Yesterday was our 3rd try and I was beginning to wonder if it would be the charm or the strike out.  Try #1 Javi got sick and we didn't want to go without him, Try #2 it rained and they closed the balloon, Try #3 I am going to tell with pictures...

Javi unfortunately could not come :(

Shannon and I decided we would get up and try for the first ride time 8:30am... it was early and well it looked like the weather would be working against us again

FOG!!!

Well that was not going to get us down.  We decided to go to Starbuck's to get some coffee and see if the fog would eventually burn off.   We had a great time chatting and almost made a spontaneous decision to go to Disneyland, but sat for too long and talked ourselves out of it. 

After a couple of hours we went back to the park because the sun was out and the balloon might fly.  Once back at the park the attendants said they were discussing a test flight, but there was a forecast for wind.  So Shannon and I decided that if nothing else we were going to get pics of the balloon.

 Shannon taking creative pics of the broken up cement that is along the hills. Not sure the purpose but it looked cool. I was sad that there was a sign that said you couldn't climb on it. Why have it if you can't climb on it?

 Took pic of balloon laying on the ground... its a BIG balloon.

 Well I wanted at least my pic with the balloon in the backgound... Kinda hard at arms length.

 Sad face that I don't get to ride the balloon

Got smart and had Shannon take my pic... much better :)

Watching the workers get the balloon ready for a test flight... we should go see if they are handing out tickets yet.

Balloon in flight.

Shannon and I finally got tickets... and stupid blog spot won't let me place the pictures where I want to and I just spent the last 20 min of my life screaming at my computer... Can I have those 20 min back please?  I just wanted the pics to be next to each other is that too much to ask blog spot?!?!?!?

Reading all the interesting facts about the balloon.  You must be educated on the matter.  

Must know the safety precautions.  

 Going Up!

 Enjoying the view.

View from the other side of the balloon.

Looking down on the park's "walking time line".  It is kind of a bust, they could have been so much more creative with how they displayed this history of CA.  It reminded me of the many activities at camp that "seem" like a good idea. Look at our cute little shadow.

When on the ground I looked at this and thought why do they have a random sidewalk that leads no where. Up in the air Shannon informed me that this was N pointing North.

Can you tell this use to be an Airforce base?

I don't remember taking this shot but really like it.

Looking straight down the center of the balloon basket.

I would rate this activity as a B-.  There was a lot of build up and suspense, but I really wish there was more to the park.  I asked our balloon guy when the estimated completion of the park would be and he stated 20-30 years, well that gives them some buffer room. It got the B because it was FREE and that is always a plus when you are a girl living on a budget. The view was BEAUTIFUL and I would love to go again at night and see all the city lights.  This balloon would be perfect at Central Park in NY, that would me a phenomenal view, of course in NY it would probably cost about $20 to do.

See you on the next adventure!