Day 2 - Saturday, June 15

WOW! These days have been crazy-busy!
Since we are so behind in our blogging, I figured I would catch up on the past few days with a general synopsis of each day...


DAY 2 - Saturday, June 15

At the Dybdal Farm, we went to sleep last night surrounded by strange skies and tornado warnings.  We wondered what the day ahead would be like, knowing we were traveling further into the predicted storm front.  I was personally worried that our day would not turn out as planned:  a hot-air balloon festival in Galena, Illinois.

On the way, we made a brief pit-stop at the Lansing Farm in Eastern Iowa, the film site for "Field of Dreams".  Their story is great, and you can check it out here:  http://www.fodmoviesite.com

Upon arriving in Galena, we immediately secured our tent-site and constructed our tents.  Sluggish at first, our weary travelers eventually shook off their lethargy and figured out the matrix of poles, flaps and zippers, and erected two impressive tents.

I then disconnected the trailer, loaded everyone up and transported them to the "The Event".  I was quite happy that while there seemed to be many people heading in the same direction, to the same event, we did not see any signage or postings that would spoil the surprise.  We eventually came to a field, labelled with a sign that simply stated "Event Parking", which prompted our people to ask, "What event?"

"You'll see." was all I gave them.  We boarded a bus and were transported to the launch site.  As soon as they saw the field, the crowd, the signs.... they freaked! "WHAT?  Are we riding a... a... balloon?!"

It would have been a perfect day - except for the weather.  Which, if you happen to be a balloon-pilot, is an important detail.

After several attempts to inflate and fly their balloons, we eventually came to the realization that the weather just would not cooperate.  Disappointed, we returned to our tents and retired for the night.