Up Up and Away!

June 24, 2016

Ballooning in Northern Michigan

Looking to take to the quiet skies in a hot air or gas balloon just like Phileas Fogg in the film version of Around the World in Eighty Days, French aeronaut Jean-Pierre Blanchard, or modern day gadabout Richard Branson? Two places in northern Michigan offer balloon flights to the public, complete with expansive and amazing aerial views.

GRAND TRAVERSE BALLOONS

Traverse City

Call of the Balloon: Owner Jeff Geiger got his first experience with ballooning while traveling out West, where he found himself watching the hot air balloons in Southern California. “I ended up working for a ballooning company out there for a while then got my own license in 1985,” Geiger said. He’s been ballooning for over 30 years and has flown balloons in Mexico and Africa, as well as the desert Southwest.

Famous Fliers: Grand Traverse Balloons has given lifts to Red Wings hockey coach Scotty Bowman and Fred Meijer of the Meijer’s supermarket chain, as well as to a lot of “great locals and tourists,” Geiger said. “We also really appreciate the farmers whose fields we land in,” he added. “They’re always so welcoming to us!” Fun Fact: A balloonist heads to work a whole lot earlier than you probably do.

“That’s the only thing I’m not a fan of — the hours,” Geiger said. “We do a lot of sunrise flights, so I get up at 3am and have to get our crew moving by 4am.”

Why Ballooning? “It’s just the best,” Geiger said. “It’s such a wonderful sport, and I really like sharing it with people. Most of our guests who are in their 50s or 60s say it’s the most remarkable experience they’ve ever had. But I would really like to see more of today’s youth try ballooning too — I think they’d love it.”

Going Up! A one-hour flight in one of Grand Traverse Balloons’ black, white and blue balloons starts at $349 per person, and includes a champagne landing celebration, certificate of ascension, color photo, and a cloisonné balloon pin. The balloon holds up to 10 people. Private charters are available starting at $950 per flight, and tethered balloon rides can be booked for special events. To book a flight or get more information, visit grandtraverseballoons.com or call 231-947-2337.

WALLOON BALLOON ADVENTURES

Walloon Lake

Call of the Balloon: There weren’t more than a handful of hot air balloons in the country when owner Lesley Pritchard got her start ballooning in the late 1960s. She grew up with a balloon in the family, as her father had teamed up with nine friends to buy a balloon as an investment venture. “I’ve been around balloons since around the time I was learning to drive a car,” Pritchard said.

“I never missed a chance to fly in the balloon!” She’s been flying balloons for 60 years and is licensed to fly both hot air balloons and also gas balloons, “which are a different thing entirely,” she said.

Famous Fliers: Pritchard has flown all over the U.S. and around the world with her balloons and has a long list of celebs that she’s taken ballooning. “Our guests really run the gamut,” she laughed, “I’ve flown everyone from actor Flip Wilson to (former presidential candidate) Ross Perot.”

Fun Fact: The balloon that Pritchard is currently flying for Walloon Balloon Adventures is a multi-colored one named Tallulah [sic], named after 1930s actress Tallulah Bankhead. “I’ve named all of my balloons after amazing women,” Pritchard said.

Why Ballooning? “I love meeting new people and getting to share the whole ballooning experience with others,” Pritchard said. “The perspective you gain from lifting off from Earth and going into this other dimension — seeing the Earth from the air, actually seeing the shape of the state of Michigan — it’s all very special.”

Going Up! Walloon Balloon’s flights cost $350 per person for sunrise or sunset flights that last around one hour; flights include a post-flight champagne celebration that consits of a continental breakfast in the morning or hors d’oeuvres in the evening. Their balloon holds up to four passengers. To book a flight or get more information, visit walloonballoon.com or call 231-459-5699.

CELEBRATE BALLOONING!

One balloon not enough? Check out dozens at these balloon festivals, where activities range from daytime balloon rides to Night Glows (lighted night flights), pilot meet-n-greets, stunt kite teams, scavenger hunts, mini golf, crafts, food, live entertainment, and more.

Michigan Challenge Balloonfest
June 24–26
At the Howell High School Complex in Howell, Mich.
More information: michiganchallenge.com

Battle Creek Field of Flight
June 29–July 4
At the W.K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, Mich.
More information: bcballoons.com

Eyes to the Skies
July 1–3
At Lisle Community Park, near Chicago
More information: eyestotheskies.org

Jackson Hot Air Jubilee
July 15–17
At Ella Sharp Park in Jackson, Mich.
More information: hotairjubilee.com

Midland Balloon Fest
September 9–11
At the Midland County Fairgrounds in Midland, Mich.
More information: midlandballoonfest.com