The things we do for love...

It is a well-known fact that when you're married, you happily (not begrudgingly) participate in activities that your loved one enjoys, which you couldn't care less about. At the end of August, I (Liz) collected some "credits" by attending a Colorado Rockies baseball game with Bill.


I hate baseball. It was stifling hot and sunny that day in the stadium. We spent the majority of the game standing in the concourse to get out of the heat, while observing play between the shoulders and heads of the other fans standing in front of us.


I found happiness and consolation in flavored ice and roasted nuts. The Rockies won over the Giants that day, and despite the overall environment, I enjoyed spending that time with Bill doing something he enjoys.

I decided to cash in my "credits" by dragging Bill to Colorado Springs for the 2009 Balloon Classic. It is the largest hot air balloon festival in Colorado, held every Labor Day weekend.

We had to rise, shine, and get on the road by 4a.m. to arrive in Colorado Springs in time for the launch, just after sunrise. This is Bill's "grin and bear it" face.




It was a beautiful morning - perfect sky, clear and cool. There were 73 balloons launched that morning, all different colors and designs. The excitement mounted as the field of color began to rise - rolling hills of rainbows.


As the balloons filled with air, there was a slow building of anticipation. Then finally, in a sudden energetic lift, the fabric of the balloon would pop up off the ground and stretch toward the sky. Only the strength of the ground crew was keeping the balloon from going airborne at that moment.

At the right time, the balloon was freed to silently and gracefully ascend into the clear blue morning. I coveted the few people who were allowed to be carried along under the balloons - their view of the mountains and Colorado landscape must have been glorious.

I think Bill enjoyed the balloon classic, but the early rise was a bit much for both of us. We drove home and immediately hit the sack again.

More pictures of the balloons are here. Maybe next time we'll be lucky enough to be carried along in a balloon basket!