New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung from New Braunfels, Texas • Page 17

Sunday, April People Balloon enthusiasts offer the ultimate way to celebrate special occasions flath.an make, some fast minute: to 11 balloon: volute metlaturac; foot By MARTHA MICHAEL DARNALL Special to the Herald-Zeiturig Majestic, tranquil, peaceful; these that come to mind when you have of a hot-air balloon. High above the of Canyon Lake, 'Makin' Memories' the adventurist. Ron and Gerald Crane, brothers and Canyon Lake, own and operate 'Makin Memo This company has been in business for four years. Gerald Crane, a pilot of the hot-air balloon, takes you on the ride of a lifetime, only do you see the beautiful colors of the forest and the Guadalupe River, you gather a whole new perspective of the area of Canyon Lake and north Comal County, or wherever the wind may take you, Even though the only protection between you and the ground is a wicker basket, the balloon is relatively. safe.

Some of the dangers, however, according to Gerald Crane; are power lines and other obstructions, The landing can sometimes be tricky as well. The pilot has to find the most appropriate spot so as not tear the balloon or hang it up in the trees. But Gerald did not seem to have much trouble lari ing the balloon in a ravine off of Bear Creek Road without much room to maneuver the basket down the slope with three members of the chase crew scoping. A the landscape for obstructions. Four or five people die a year due to hot-air ballon accidents, but these are usually a fluke according to Bonnle Crane.

The balloon is run by three propane tanks located Inside the wicker basket, Orie of the tanks is a quieter running tank that can be used if the balloon is 'spooking' the animals below as you pass over them, Most baskets are equipped to hold three passengers, Some however, are capable of holding up to five people, de the size of the balloon, Later this year? Is' will have available a balloon and hold up to eight people, says Ronnie Ch "You must ot's license in order to operate a balloon. It can as much as three or four years to obtain a balloon license, where it may only take four months to achieve a fixed-wing pilot's license," said Gerald. Taking a balloon ride is not only a thrill, but it can be used to your advantage for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Nathan Flugrath, another hot-alr balloon pilot for 'Makin Memories' for example, proposed to his wife in balloon. oning Is not for everyone.

But if you have the itch to fulfill an urge to fly, then choosing a illoon ride is the sure thing to do just that. Of after the trip a bottle of champagne is providcelebrate your maiden journey. above Lake pilot Darrel Downs of 3 Makin' Memories puts hot air in the balloon. The fire that makes the balloon rise is fueled by propane located in the basket, right-Balloons are predominately controlled by the wind, so sometimes where they land is not so easy to predict,.