Sunday, February 10, 2008

The Great Park Balloon



Photo by grantwe


Yesterday we went on the Great Park Balloon at the under-construction Orange County Great Park. Unfortunately our camera is broken, so I had to grab a few from flickr. It was a sunny day with a slight breeze. Alex loved it, even though he could barely see over the railings. We went up to 280 feet, though the balloon operator said on a calm day they can go up to 500. I was more than fine with 280 feet.

It is a huge balloon with a steel donut shaped basket that can hold around 30 people. There is netting along the sides you can't fall out, though you could accidentaly drop a camera or cell phone. The balloon is anchored by a steel tether that attaches to the center of the balloon. This is how they control how high the balloon goes. See the picture below.



Photo by grantwe


post by David

2 comments:

Spence Ohana said...

Very cool! I'd be too terrified to go on it though. I didn't know they are building an OC Great Park - where? The old airfields?

Armilyn and David said...

Yes, the old El Toro base.