This was our first hot air balloon ride. We sailed with Bob Swanson who was a fantastic pilot.
We met at Domain Chandon at 5.30am and were welcomed with coffee, tea, and pastries. After being provided with the rules and regulations and what to expect, we were driven over to the launch site – just 5 minutes away. There we had the opportunity to watch the balloons being inflated which was an experience in itself.
Bob was an amazing pilot and a lot of fun. He shared history of the area, told stories of his years flying balloons, and made the flight very entertaining. The weather was perfect and the sunrise was beautiful. The flight lasted just short of an hour, we sailed about 10mph, and 3545' was our highest altitude, and we hit our intended landing target back at the golf course. Very impressive!
After the flight we went back to Domain Chandon for a Champagne Brunch of bacon, eggs, potatoes, and mimosas. We chatted with the other passengers and were also able to chat more with Bob. It is clear that he loves what he does. He had so many fun stories to share and we actually spent a while hanging out and chatting. Perfect morning!
Every person that was part of the experience was wonderful; Jayne who we made the reservation with, Mike who explained the rules and regulations, the guys inflating the balloons who were more than happy to answer questions, the lady (whose name escapes me – sorry) that handled the payment at the end, and of course Bob. I highly recommend Napa Valley Balloons.