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Did you get a chance to take in the Celebration of the Lakes activities last weekend? The hot air balloons were able to fly twice, despite a Saturday rescheduling.

This was my first ever flight aboard a hot air balloon. I invited our sports editor Dave along. Last year I mustered up enough courage to ride, but as you remember, it was sub-zero with very high winds. Up at around 5:30 a.m., I was anxious and nervous to take my first ride. But at 8:15 a.m., we were notified that the clouds were too low and the balloons would not be flying. "Here we go again" is all I could say. So we packed up and headed home for a few hours.

We arrived back at the launch site at 3 p.m. and noticed the flags at Mainstreet Bank were blowing around pretty good. I was positive that this flight would also be cancelled. We met with our pilot and his crew and they told us to get ready to fly. We then proceeded to help them prepare the balloon for flight. I can't believe how simple balloons are to assemble. There really are not very many parts. You have a basket with four tanks of propane, an altimeter/thermometer and some steel cables.

When we had the balloon all prepped and filled with air from a fan, our pilot hit the gas and it began to rise. Up until now, I hadn't really been nervous, but when he said jump in, I seriously thought about running the other way. But with some prodding from Dave, I piled in. Either we had a really small basket (some other balloons had four to six people in them), or we need to start the Atkins diet pronto, because with only three men in the basket, we were shoulder to shoulder like a tin of sardines.

All of my nervousness soon melted away as the balloon smoothly ascended away from the crowd gathered below. We headed northeast, floating right over Chisago Lake Lutheran Church. I can't begin to tell you how serene it is floating along silently in the sky. The view was absolutely incredible. There is no wind blowing in your face, because you are floating the same speed as the wind.

After successfully scaring us a couple of times by getting close to tree tops and rooftops, our pilot decided to put down on Little Lake.

All my life I have had a fear of heights, and never would have imagined myself flying in a balloon. Now I can't believe I waited so long to take a ride. It was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life.

Thanks to all the people who had a hand in this year's Celebration of the Lakes. What people don't understand is, there is a group of people that meet all year long to make sure everything is perfect for you and I the fans. This year's celebration was one of the best I can remember and we have these people to thank for it. You did a wonderful job, and we had a great time.

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