Our Welcome to NoCal Ballooning
Prosser Lake, July 24-26
by Bo Choate

Orval and I have heard about the Prosser event for many years, but time and distance had prevented us for going. Well, this year we have overcome both obstacles, since we are now retired and living less than 70 miles away from the lake. In fact, when we realized that we would be here in time, we immediately applied. And we were not disappointed…

Prosser weekend is a “nonevent,” according to the Forest Service, that has been going on now for many years on the last weekend of July. Prosser Lake, located about 5 miles north of Truckee, is one of 3 reservoirs in the area. The hilly terrain is covered with pine and cedar trees, but, of course, it is the lake that calls the balloons. I have heard that balloons have a natural attraction to water. Air Flambé certainly seemed to be drawn to it. Orval spent most of his time all three days hanging over or in the lake.

Friday morning was a scheduled long jump. We decided instead to just fly from the normal launch area, a boat ramp parking lot, with about 10 other balloons. This lot only holds 3 balloons at a time, so we went off in waves. We were extremely lucky to get a couple of “kids” (in their 20’s) from Davis to help us. (Thanks again, Mike and Kelly. You were invaluable.) Orval gave the balloon a bath on his first splash & dash, then continued to enjoy the morning’s flight to the dam. After the flight, we went in to Truckee to have breakfast at the local famous dive called Squeeze In, which we did. The food was great.

By Saturday morning, our crew (my brother, Pat, & his wife, Janice) had arrived. We decided to hang out at our campsite to watch the first few waves of the 30 + balloons to launch nearby. What a sight to watch the balloons come over and through the tall pines! Janice decided to ride with Orval on Saturday. This time they glided over the lake, with several successful touches, then floated over the trees and landed beside the road into our campground. How convenient!

The rest of the day included a tailgate breakfast at our campsite, a nice drive around the area, and a swim in a lake. Yes, it gets hot even in the mountains. I think it was about 100 degrees on Saturday! The highlight, though, would be the Dutch Oven Cook-off for dinner on Saturday. Wow! The food was great – and abundant! There was BBQ pork, chicken and dumplings, a couple of cobblers, and more from the 18 entries. I also heard there was something chocolate, but it was gone FAST! FYI: I don’t have a Dutch Oven, yet, so my contribution was eating.
Sunday was another beautiful morning, temps in the mid-50’s. Once again we were the last ones off, and once again Air Flambé, with Orval and Pat aboard this time, headed for the water. They spent quite a while just skimming the water and talking to the canoeists. Photo ops were plentiful and I took advantage it. (Do we ever get too many pictures of our balloons?) Orval landed along the shoreline and we walked him back to the parking lot where he had launched earlier.

Breakfast, pack up, and we were on our way home. We had just over an hour’s drive. I love that part!
Janice commented on Saturday about the peace and serenity of the balloons and our surroundings. She said, “Now this is what ballooning is about.” I agree.

*Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you can't change, kiss slowly, play hard, forgive quickly, take chances, give everything, have no regrets. Life's too short to be anything but happy.*

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