Carolyn and I drove to Wanda's home where we were met by Lisa and Katie, so at a little after 11 we left for a brunch in Del Mar. Steve and Candy met us at the Brigatine after driving down from Victorville. We had a great champagne brunch and Wanda opened her gifts. After leaving our waitress with love-life tips (she said she'd like to be proposed to on a balloon flight, but her boyfriend wasn't likely to be proposing anytime soon - we suggested she dump him), we wandered the main street and checked out various over-priced shops including one where you could buy a large jade incense burner at the value price of $150,000!
Then over to the Coffee Bean to meet up with the balloon company and have both Wanda and Carolyn sign away any ability to sue in case of death. We followed their vans through the back roads of Rancho Santa Fe to a small open field where two balloons were inflated, first with big fans, and then with propane heated air. The smaller balloon lifted off with six or eight people rather quickly, but as Carolyn and Wanda where on the "biggest balloon on the west coast" it took two tries to fill it correctly and both ladies crowded in with twelve others plus the pilot to make their ascent. Slowly they ascended and headed to the south and probably reached 1500 feet.
Lisa, Katie and I followed the vans in the chase (Steve and Candy headed home) and utilized Lisa's rental Jeep's four-wheel-drive in a couple of places as we went into fields or over median strips. Wanda and Carolyn landed and called us on the cellular to let us know they were earth bound (after three hops on landing!) and we met up with them about five minutes after touchdown. Then, it was champagne for the passengers along with a few appetizers.
Wanda enjoyed the flight and may try it again on her 85th. It was a long day, but we were glad we could do something special for Nans and that all her kids could show up to celebrate.
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