We got there in plenty of time to get good parking, which made for an easier exit. Nothing much happened early, for they were all waiting on the meteorlogical people to give their okay, and to be assigned their turns. Officials watched while perched from a high crane, to better supervise. You can see part of that crane behind the lady's head in the first photo. We were really lucky to be there, for she explained much about the basics of ballooning. A teacher by profession, her ease with presentation and subject were a delight. Just earlier, Nick had wondered out loud, why the wicker baskets, isn't that 'old fashioned'? No, the wicker is superior, because with the lightness, it has flexibility to absorb the shock of a harder landing. But hard landings don't happen unless the winds are strong.

As the skies gradually lightened, it was good time to take pictures of each other. I got an especially good one of Nick, with a balloon in the background.