Gliding slowly over the Shenandoah Valley hundreds of feet in the air in a small five person basket with a blazing inferno going off every thirty seconds right over your head is now one of the most fun experiences I have ever had in the air.

My good friend David and I took a hot air balloon ride with Valley Ballooning at 7:15 AM, going about six miles in 45 minutes while chase vans followed on the roads below. The feeling while riding was one of nearly effortless and silent floating. At times it was difficult to know we were moving at all; there was hardly any breeze that morning. Only when we buzzed the tops of the trees did we realize that we were moving at about 5-6 mph.

Our group of four riders and a pilot were tightly packed into the basket, but we still had room to move around and take the view in from multiple sides. The coldness in the air was quickly forgotten whenever the pilot fired a loud blast from the burner. 

A hot air balloon ride is something I would highly recommend to everyone. Unlike being in a plane, you have the ability in a balloon to slowly take in your surroundings. I particularly enjoyed watching the birds glide below us and seeing the long shadows cast by the cows!

I have always had a soft spot for minimalist art that features high contrast, lots of lines, and interesting angles, and this ride did not disappoint in this regard. Be sure to scroll down for all of the neat black and white images I captured from the air.

Enjoy the images and the story of the ride! Be sure to like, comment, share, and visit the Valley Ballooning website to sign up for a trip of your own!