Alabama Jubilee 2012

Has it really been August since the last time I posted?  Wow. I am really going to try to do better!  We headed South for Memorial Day weekend to the Alabama Jubilee in Decatur, AL.  Our good friends Josh and Sheryl Reams made the trip with us and we met up with Roger in Decatur, along with our new crew member Leah.  We had such a great time, always a good way to kick off the summer ballooning season!

The weather was not the best for ballooning, but it wasn't the normal too windy, or stormy. No, it was hot..and dry..and still, very very still.  No wind.  We got 2 short flights in, a longer flight and a glow.   

Our next trip is Monroe WI in June, it will be a long and competitive one.  Until then, Soft Landings

Kenny and Marianne

Where does the time go?

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted. Since my last post, we have take Mai'Ken Dreams to Canton, MS and Peoria, IL. We have also traveled to Indianola, IA to help a friend. Last night we flew over the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, MO. Here are a couple pictures from that flight.

MRCA Finals Rodeo at Missouri State Fair

Tonight we have a group fun flight with the Show Me Balloon Club. Maybe I will try to load those soon!!

Soft Landings,

Kenny and Marianne Jay

Ottumwa Pro Balloon Race 2011

We were in Ottumwa, IA this past weekend at the Ottumwa Pro Balloon Race. It wasn't a very nice weekend for flying, but we did have fun.

We snuck a flight in Friday evening. It was slow going, but it was a great time to take a wonderful 75 year young lady for her first ever hot air balloon ride.
Kenny's giving Joanie her instruction while John and Joe keep weight on the balloon.

Lookin' good up there, Joanie and Kenny. They were moving super slow!

They did not hit the intended target, which was the park, as the winds shift on them mid flight.

Joanie was a great sport with the traditional champagne on the head toast. We think she has a secret life we don't know about. LOL

We went back to the park and set up again for the evening glow. This sure is an awesome glow balloon!!

Of course, all the balloons looked great. It was a perfect night for a glow.

We had the best crew/sponsors of the weekend. We were sponsored by Hogs 4 Dogs USA. A great organization helping stray and abused pets. John, Tammie, Lori and Joanie were so much fun. We can't wait for next year!!

This weekend we are off to Canton, Mississippi. It's going to be a warm one, but we are hoping to get a lot of flying in.

Until next time,

Soft Landings,

Kenny and Marianne

Show Me Balloon Club Crew Training Flight

There's a new balloon club in the Columbia area, Show Me Balloon Club.

We had a crew training a couple weeks ago, and we even recruited some new crew!

Here they are taking a tour of Tim's basket. Welcome to ballooning, Scott, Drek, April and PJ.
We cold inflated Tim Graham's balloon, Still No Regrets. It was a bit windy that afternoon, but it gave everyone a good overview.

Time to pack up, so we can do it again!

Mai'Ken Dreams and Still No Regrets finally got to take to the skies. So glad the wind died down and it became a nice evening.

Soft Landings,

Kenny and Marianne

Sunday, June 5th Momma Peggy and Sister Jenn, along with Jenn's adorable kids, Faythe and Ethan, came for a visit..and to help fly the balloon!

Isn't Ethan cool in his pink sunglasses??

Joe also joined us to help out. Good job on the crown line, Joe!
Here's Jenn and Peggy holding the mouth open. Great crew!!

Our balloong, along with our friend Layne's new balloon. There were a total of 5 balloons that evening, but i wasn't able to get pictures of all of them.

Kenny and Layne, great photography work, Jenn, thanks for the help!

Kenny landed at the MU golf course, beautiful place to land, horrible place to try to carry a balloon out of!!

Until next time...

Soft Landings,

Kenny and Marianne

Flying over Anchorfest in Centralia, MO

Man, am I behind on blogging, again!

Kenny flew our friend Bob Davis over Anchorfest on June 4th. It was a beautiful evening flight.

We launched from a park on the West side of Centralia so he could fly over downtown, where the Anchorfest was.

They didn't quite make it over the main area where they wanted to, but they had a great flight.

They finally landed in a cornfield, where we had to do some packing to get it out.

Here's Kenny giving Bob the history of ballooning.
While Cherry, Kathy, Val and Matt listen from the sidelines. And then...the champagne bath and mother earth shower.

I think Bob's done this before!

We had a great evening in Centralia with Bob, Kathy, Joe, Val and Matt. Kathy and Bob are ready to come out and crew again!!

Until next time,

Soft Landings,

Kenny and Marianne

Fun Flight over Columbia

Last weekend we got several flights in. Saturday morning started early. Kenny took our friend Austin Hein up for his first ever balloon ride. Austin was a little nervous to begin with, but he had a great time. Here's KB giving Austin the low down on what to expect.

We had a few balloons up that morning, it was a beautiful day!
Austin's sister Ashtin and her friend Erica came out to help too! Cute girls, and fun!

Of course, we had to give the traditional first time toast to Austin, nothing like a champagne bath on a Saturday morning.

He was a great sport about it. We love having the Hein family around!!

Stay tuned for more pictures from the weekend.

Soft Landings,

Kenny and Marianne