Three for Three...Could it be?
October
24, 25 and 26 of 2003
Time again for our clubs annual Halloween get together and fly-if-we-can
weekend out at Oscar Carons Ranch in Raven. It was not the usual cold and dreary drive out to Spruce View
this year.
Instead the sky was sunny and the wind was flowing out of the Rockies with a
fury not often seen. In spite of the wind on Friday the weather was looking
great for the weekend and for once the weatherman was exact. This year I would
stay on the ground as I was late in booking the club balloon for the weekend.
This would give me some time with Rosanne and Raymond away from the house. It
was time Raymond spent a weekend crewing on a hot air balloon. After all he's 18
months and it's about time I taught him about load charts, land owner relations
and champagne etiquette.
Yours truly had an opportunity to snag three quick "drive
by" geocaches on the drive up to Spruce
View on the 2A Highway. Two near Didsbury and one just south of Olds. We decided
to take the scenic drive and headed west from Olds and crossed the Red Deer
River near Keavisville. From there we headed north and caught the 54 Highway
just west of Raven.
Raven
is about 35km east of Innisfail Alberta on the 54 highway. This is Moose country
and I have yet to attend a Raven event without spying one from the air or on the
ground. This year was no exception. Sunday morning we spotted a young male by
the bridge just north of Oscars' place. He was as black as night and he looked
like he was wearing white sport socks has his lower legs were very light in
contrast with the rest of his body.
Friday evening was the
usual get together at the Tivoli Restaurant across from the hotel in Spruce
View. We went early so we could drive in to Oscars place to drop off some
supplies in the roundhouse. Ralph had been there before us and had decorated the
roundhouse with a variety of SCARY THINGS for the Halloween party Saturday night.
No
flying took place Friday evening due to the extreme winds but a good time was
had at the Tivoli just the same. Saturday morning broke and the parade was off
to the Caron Balloonport in Raven. Now if you've never been to Oscars let me
tell you a little about the location. Oscar owns what I would estimate to be
about a quarter section just east of the 54 Highway in the foothills of the
Canadian Rockies. This is cattle country and vegans are required to check their
tofu at the #2 Highway in Innisfail. The balloonport is an idyllic
location cleared out of the bush along the Raven River. The Carons have owned
this land for many years and have worked hard at creating a country paradise in
the heart of rural Alberta. The cleared area is a circular shape with enough
room to launch over a dozen balloons and enough biffies to keep everyone well
drained. The roundhouse is a circular building set off to one side of the
cleared area. The roundhouse has enough room to fit approximately 30 picnic
tables, a full restaurant style kitchen and a central fire pit that keeps the
occupants warm and dry. A better facility we could not dream of!
Saturday morning briefing was at 8AM and the crews started to file into the
balloonport like ants to sugar. The sky was partly overcast with light
winds from the west and a chance to showers in the afternoon. After a short
weather briefing six balloons began the process of taking to the skies. Ralph
Dowson with Happiness Is, Walt and Linda Then with Big Toy, Jennifer
Lowndes with Blue Ice, Richard and Heather Clark with Out Treat, Jack and
Shelagh Bailey with Mr. Smee and Connie and Andy Shulthess with Double Diamond
all started a slow drift of to the east. We packed Raymond into the truck and
headed off to follow the club balloon on Dennis request. Seems they needed help
in transporting the crew and passengers back form the landing location. Ahhh,
the S10! All had standup landing's while a very light rain shower began. Bags
were quickly packed and all regrouped back at the balloonport for champagne and
after flight munchies.
Saturday evening brought
more of the same weather, light winds out of the west and partly cloudy skies.
This time it was a little gusty on the surface.
Very few east west roads caused all the crews except Ralphs to arrive late at
the landing location. This is what you get for being under your balloon during
most of the chase. Your balloon hops a tree line with no access and the next
east west road is 5 km north.
Break out the Turkey Cooker and lets deep fry some
turkey. Another tradition that seems to have gotten ingrained into the fabric of
the event. Now if you've never
tried this you should put it on your list of things to do before you die. Deep
fried Turkey is one of the tastiest things on the face of the earth. This year
we saw three medium size birds hit the oil. Jack Bailey did his usual carving
job to perfection and the birds were the hit of the evening. This year I can't
comment on the
costumes or pumpkin carving as Raymond needed sleep in a big way so we had to
leave the party early.
This year the time change didn't
catch me off guard. I just kept sleeping until the showers in the hotel started
to get louder and louder. When I couldn't sleep any longer I got up and headed
out to the ballonport. I think I've got this time change thing figured out!
The weather this morning was the best of the weekend. Light winds from the south
and once again partly cloudy skies. The direction wasn't the best but when the
winds take you straight down the road life is good. We once again beat the crew
to the balloon we were chasing and even had land owner permission and the
balloon packed by the time the chase crew arrived at the landing site. I had to
show Raymond how to do it right you know! Everyone meet back at the balloonport
for champagne, balloon stories, breakfast and goodbyes.
Thanks Walt, Linda and
Oscar for another great weekend out at Raven!
See Yah Next Year!
Steve
Booooooooooooooo!
