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Discover Mid-America — December 2007

A balloon adventure in Iowa

Two years ago my wife let it slip that “It might be fun to go ballooning.” It wasn’t long before I ordered a balloon-flight certificate from a national ballooning and soaring company and later gave it to her for Christmas. The certificate package included the names of balloonists from all over the U.S.

Earlier this year, I tried to arrange a flight while visiting our daughter and her family in New Jersey, but the weather turned bad. Now, the certificate was about to expire.

I remembered that Indianola, Iowa, is one of the country’s ballooning centers. Located just south of Des Moines, it is the site of the National Balloon Classic, a competitive event held the last week in July and first few days in August for the past 38 years. Mass ascensions, races, cash grabs and “nite glows” are featured. Eighty balloons participated in the 2007 event.

I called John Jensen, a balloonist in that area. He agreed to take us up.

Our first scheduled flight with him in early October was scrubbed due to heavy rains that softened fields, making retrieval impractical. The following week looked dry and calm, so by mid-week Jensen called and we drove to Indianola the next day.

While in Indianola, I was anxious to visit the National Balloon Museum and U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame. Jensen helped arrange a museum visit earlier in the day, and agreed to meet my wife and I at the museum later in the afternoon for our 4:30 p.m. flight.

Mary Conklin, a museum volunteer, was our host. She and her husband Gerald (“call me Conk”) have been enthusiastic volunteers since 1979, according to the museum website. Their daughter and grandson are avid balloonists.

Mary also helps judge balloon competitions. “For 18 years, the National Ballooning Championships were held in Indianola, and the National Balloon Classic continues to be held here,” she told us.

She said the museum was the result of gifts from many enthusiasts, including a Kansas Citian, Leo Eisenburg, who contributed $100,000 to get the museum started.

“The museum is non-profit and depends on donations,” Conklin said. “It also depends on volunteers, mostly seniors.”

Mary enjoys ballooning, and goes on frequent flights both with her daughter and with Archway, a sponsor of the National Balloon Classic.
“You know the first time I rode, I admit I was scared,” Mary said. “I was afraid of heights. But now I can go up anytime — it doesn’t bother me.”

After occupying temporary quarters in several locations, the museum officially opened in 1986. Balloon envelopes, baskets and related artifacts from noted balloonists are displayed, along with posters, paintings, cartoons, historical news clippings, contest trophies and other items.

There’s a section on “Women in Ballooning,” along with a children’s area where youngsters make pretend-ascensions and learn about ballooning in colorful books. Ballooning history comes alive with pictures of early European flights, clippings and photographs of early-day dirigibles, exhibits of Ed Yost’s “Channel Champ,” and a section on early Iowa ballooning.

A little before 4 p.m., John Jensen pulled up with his van and trailer, containing his 105,000 cubic foot “Firefly” balloon, basket, and other gear. An associate, Jeremy King, was with him, along with two other passengers. After handshakes all around, we climbed in the van and headed out to choose a launch site.

Jensen, whose regular job is a firefighter, owns and operates Air Addiction Balloon Company, using two balloons. A licensed balloon pilot, for the past six years he has participated in the Balloon Classic and offers rides throughout the year, primarily from April through October.

“You can go up in a balloon about any time of the year,” Jensen said. “We don’t fly in snow, but if the wind is calm, cold weather won’t keep us on the ground.”

Today’s weather was perfect for ballooning, although a bit cool, the temperature hovering in the low 50s. There was little wind — around 5-6 mph.

We drove to a farm where Jensen had arranged a launch. John and Jeremy released small helium balloons to judge wind direction. The balloons rose to the southeast, paused near a cloud then veered sharply in the opposite direction. Deciding to change launch sites, Jensen drove us to another site northwest of Indianola where we pulled into an open area behind an old farmhouse. John and Jeremy soon had the basket on the ground and stretched the colorful balloon envelope 50 feet or more across the grass.

Balloon launching takes a lot of preparation. Fans are brought out and air is forced into the envelope, expanding it into shape. Propane burners are connected, and fired into the balloon, further billowing it out. Soon the balloon begins to lift, tugging at the ropes until it stretches out to its full height. A few more bursts of propane flame and we are ready to board.

With four passengers plus the pilot, it’s a comfy fit. Jensen’s wife and two young daughters come to see us off. Jensen fires the burners again, everyone waves, and we slowly lift off.

On board is a GPS unit that registers position and speed along with an altimeter that displays altitude. Jensen keeps in cell-phone contact with Jeremy, who is driving the van as a chase vehicle. He also communicates with the tower at Des Moines Airport on an aviation radio. Like all aircraft, balloons are subject to FAA flight rules. Jensen keeps the airport notified of our position: 2,000 feet and drifting southeast at 3 mph.

The late afternoon is nearly silent as we float over the Iowa landscape, disturbed only by the brief roar of the propane burner. Fields of harvested corn and soybeans appear as corduroy fabric, punctuated by glistening ponds amid green spaces of meadow and woodland. A doe and two fawns leap out of a field and cross a road as we sail over them. Herds of cattle seem to ignore us, then scatter as the propane burner roars to life. The farmyard where we took off recedes into the background as we gain altitude

After a few minutes our speed drops to zero, then we reverse direction, and then reverse again. We’re flying in a circle! Again we climb, regaining our original direction, and increasing our ground speed to 6 mph.

After about 40 minutes, Jensen lets the balloon descend slowly as we approach a field. Minutes later, we bump gently down. Then he fires the burner and we’re drifting through tall weeds. Jensen climbs out and he and Jeremy grab the basket and pull us closer to the van. Then, we all climb out to help with the post-flight packing.

Soon the envelope is collapsed and stowed, and everything is loaded into the van. Jensen treats us to cheese and crackers. Later, we enjoy the traditional balloonist treat, a glass of champagne, while Jensen offers this toast:

“The winds have welcomed you with softness. The sun has blessed you with his warm hands. You have flown so high and so well, that God has joined you in your laughter. And He has set you gently back again into the loving arms of Mother Earth.”

By the way, my wife thoroughly enjoyed her first balloon flight.

Ken Weyand can be reached at kweyand1@kc.rr.com

Get high in Indianola!

Experience hot air ballooning in the Heartland. Air Addiction Balloon Co. is one of several in Indianola. 515-228-3000.

Mark your 2008 calendar for July 25-Aug. 2. That’s the National Balloon Classic, a hot-air ballooning spectacular that includes mass balloon ascensions, contests, “nite glows,” a big parade, and more. Visit www.nationalballoonclassic.com or call 1-800-FLY-IOWA. To schedule a ride during the event, call 1-800-690-1287.

Visit the National Balloon Museum and U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame at 1601 N. Jefferson. Free admission. Closed January. Shorter winter hours Feb.-April, but open daily. Visit www.nationalballoonmuseum.com or call 515-961-3714.

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