A hot air balloon ride with Hot Air Expeditions skilled team is the most empowering, emboldening, enlightening and enjoyable activity I experienced all weekend in my extraordinary getaway to phenomenal Phoenix.
Why a hot air balloon ride you ask? Because can’t help but feel empowered when you watch the process of filling the balloon with air. And then the effort and sudden agility that enables you to actually get into the basket lets you know that you’re about to achieve something that many folks would dismiss because of their fears, anxiety or just plain unwillingness to BE BOLD!
SOOOO, once inside the basket, I had to suppress concern that the frequent surge of flames to lift the balloon into the air just might singe my hair before we even leave the ground!
Admittedly, lots of positive thinking and repeating of affirmations AND silencing the nervousness expressed by others in the balloon start the whole empowering process within YOU. I really had to get out of my own head.
Ascending slowly and waving to the balloon staff and others on the ground fills your chest with pride: “I got this! I am rising! I am loving this extraordinary view that I can only have with this unique experience! I’m proud of me!” Positive, affirming thoughts flood the mind so much that before you know it, you’re looking at tiny cars, freeways, canals, the urban sprawl below and you’re smiling at it all.
The balloon pilot points out that the first five minutes might be a bit unsettling as you realize all the fears and anxieties were ridiculous, as anxieties always tend to be. The whole group of 12 adventurous souls celebrating everything from anniversaries and birthdays to lifelong bucket list check-offs and old regulars who just love being close to the sky are suddenly silent and the noise of the world below falls away, even if only for about 40 minutes (give or take 20 minutes depending on wind conditions).
Sunny Phoenix is such an ideal place to soar above the city because we also drift over the arid Sonoran Desert with sunset views of the cactus-covered mountains surrounding about two-thirds the city. It was a little bit of heaven – seriously, we were certainly a lot closer to it. LOL!!
You too will undoubtedly feel the empowerment, enlightenment, and emboldment of your inner core after this experience. You too will say, “If I can ride a hot air balloon, I can also ______(fill in the blank with the adventure you’ve been reluctant to try).
A fellow passenger, a handsome 31 year old guy, asked me if I’d ever skydived; he assumed I’d have that much confidence and boldness since I was bold enough for the hot air balloon ride at 60+ years old. I haven’t skydived, but once I program my thinking and research the pros and cons, I just might see you next time from another ride through the sky. Another little bit of heaven.
Really glad that Visit Phoenix knew to include this activity in our hosted 3-day itinerary.
Have you tried a hot air balloon ride yet? Or had the opportunity yet?? Well, a Sunny Phoenix getaway is just what you need. Will not disappoint.