Up Goes the Balloon

If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try, again.

Or so the old adage goes.

It was a battle of will between man and nature on the third day of the Adirondack Balloon Festival this past Saturday.

Once, Twice, Thrice, and more, onlookers waited with bated breath as hot air balloon pilots fought against the powerful winds to fully inflate their balloons.

Time slowed to a near stand-still as finally, a balloon steadily climbed to an upright position.

Anticipation rose and excitement soared as the crew worked to keep the balloon grounded, allowing the pilot time to step inside the basket.

Yet just then, an unusually strong gust of wind swooshed past, and there was no preventing the balloon from collapsing in on itself.

The highest any balloon got was, at best, a meter off the ground before, it too, was overcome by the wind.

The battle lost, there was nothing else for adults to do but pack up and head home.

For the kids though, undeterred, they continued the fun, flying kites and burning propane in what is called a candlestick glow under the watchful eye of parents and the balloon crew.