My group arrived in the darkness of the morning at Little Governors Camp while the crews were setting up two balloons for our Safari. As they lit the burners, the bright flames illuminated the multicolored balloons like giant Japanese lanterns.
We entered the large basket of our balloon and gracefully lifted off the ground. Silently we rose above the canopy of the forest as the first brilliant rays of the African sun greeted us from the distant horizon.
Carried by a steady breeze, we drifted over giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and an amazing herd of elephants.
Prior to touch down, our captain prepared us for a rough landing. "Get into your crash positions." The balloon slowly descended until the tall grass brushed beneath our feet. Suddenly there was a jolt as the basket slammed into a small termite mound, and then another and another until we came to a stop and the basket safely tipped over onto its side. What a thrilling adventure!
Following the ride, we were treated to a champagne breakfast, complete with hot food and fresh fruit, in the middle of the savannah and then we were taken on incredible game drive before returning to our camp.
You can see this adventure on my "AFRICAN SAFARI" DVD, or at the Children's Nature Film Festival on April 30th at the McDonald Theater in Eugene, Oregon.
Click here to learn more about this Safari Balloon Ride.Did you notice the cheetah in the final photo?
On Earth Day, I saw a bald eagle perched in a tree along I-5 which is the main freeway that runs through the beautiful Willamette Valley in Oregon. Thanks to Federal protection, it's great to see this magnificent bird bounce back from the brink of extinction.
