Dirigible (Not Really, But Just as Cool)

Mommy and Daddy went on a hot air balloon ride. Grandma and Grandpa G babysat the brood. Sorry, no children under 10 permitted. Daddy sprung the big bucks and so, he and Mommy were the only passenger in the gondola.

We participated in the pre-flight inspection and inflation of the balloon.

The actual flight was very slow and relaxing. We weren't getting a lot of movement up at 3,000 feet so, the pilot dropped down. At about 500 feet, we had a voyeristic tour of houses, golf courses and playgrounds. The people below were waving at us and dogs were barking like mad.

The landing was a crash, as the pilot made a last minute decision to drop down on the front lawn of an Alzheimer's care home. The wind was dying down and he didn't like our chances of making it to another spot any time soon. Mommy and Daddy both suffered a few bruises and Mommy's pants were destroyed and she scrapped up both knees.

Here's a reenactment.