Hot Air Balloon Festival

One of the things on my "30 b4 30" list was to ride in a hot air balloon. So when I heard about the Balloons over Anderson Festival coming to town I new it was the perfect opportunity. And what better way than to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary that was coming up the following weekend. Thankfully the hubbs managed to get out of working the Jane Wayne day our battalion was putting on so we could go together. We made the drive to Anderson which is about 2 hours away from Columbia just in time to check out the festival before our check in time. The festival its self was pretty small didn't have a whole lot to offer. It didn't really bother me though, we were there to see the balloons.
We checked in and met our pilot, his name was Kenny and seemed really nice. He informed us that we would be riding with the Mayor of Anderson. Thank Goodness we weren't from there or living there, I didn't have to worry about the hubbs saying anything crazy, lord knows he would lol.

Finally just after 4pm all of the pilots and their crew split off and started setting up there balloons. It was really neat to see all of the different designs and colors.  

This is our balloon going up! The inside had a smiley face at the top. 

Here we are up in the air, absolutely loving it!!!! 

Happy 5 Year Anniversary Baby!!!!!

The Clemson Balloon went up next to us, had to take some pictures and share the love for all my Gamecock fans. 

Just a few of the 20 balloons that set off with ours. This was the smallest flight for the festival from what we were told. Apparently another city put a lower bid on the festival a few years back so its been moved to another city but Anderson still puts on a small festival every year. 

 Seriously this was the best day ever, we had so much fun. I couldn't stop smiling and the best part was that the hubbs enjoyed it just as much. I love being able to do things like this with him. I can't even begin to think of what we are going to do next year for our anniversary to top this one.

These are just some more balloons from the flight. Along with the reflection of our balloon when we were up in the air. The sky was filled with tons of color, there were cars stopped along the highway watching the balloons pass over and people standing in their drive way wavy at us. It was so cool. I was like a kid in a candy store :).

We had a slight scare, (well I did) before we landed. The pilot was communicating back and forth with the pick up crew on were we were going to land. In the process a tree popped out of no were and we had no choice but to take it out. To say I was a little nervous would be a understatement. Pilot Kenny didn't seem to concerned though, and thankfully if didn't hit the balloon only the basket but it didn't do any damage. Finally after a wonderful ride over a beautiful city we were back on the ground. The landing was a bit hard but I guess that's normal. We finished off with a little champagne toast and a story on the history of the hot air balloon. It was the best way to finish out our first five years of marriage, reaching new highest and moving up in the world. I seriously love this man so much!!!! 

HAPPY 5 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY BABY!!!! I LOVE YOU ALWAYS & FOREVER & THENSOME!!!!