Up, Up, and Away
…well maybe not away, but you get the idea 😉 Today’s Travel Thursday post takes us on a Temecula hot air balloon adventure. Hot air ballooning has been on my bucket list for quite a while, so imagine my excitement when I was able to cross this adventure off my list!
We took our trip up with Magical Adventure Balloon Rides and I would highly recommend this company! And honestly, our adventure was pretty magical and I would love to go again! It is an absolutely gorgeous way to get a birds eye view of the wine country in Temecula. As an added bonus, you can go on wine tastings afterwards!
There was something truly amazing about floating along just above the trees and seeing everything below. I absolutely loved our adventure and a couple of things about going for a hot air balloon ride surprised me…
It is much hotter up there than I expected…because the balloon is powered by fire!
The hot air balloon experience is louder than expected…again, because the balloon is powered by fire and fire can be noisy
Because of the above two surprises it’s not quite as romantic as you might think…it would still make a great date but it’s not a quiet blissful experience
The pilots have less control over the location of the landing than you’d think. Â Where you land is controlled by the wind so on our ride we actually went about 20 minutes longer than expected (awesome bonus!) because of how the winds moved.
Temecula Hot Air Balloon Adventure
A couple of reasons why I’d recommend Magical Adventure Balloon Rides…
They leave a few minutes later than the other groups in the area which makes you think you’ll miss the early morning views, but the truth is it means your views will include other hot air balloons. Because your travel is dictated by the wind if you are at the back you can take great pictures filled with other balloons!
You get mimosas at the end…is there even really a need to explain why this is a good thing?!?
The pilot is quite knowledgeable about hot air ballooning and the area which makes the experience even more enjoyable
Have you been hot air ballooning? Â Would you want to go? Â What’s one thing on your bucket list?
25 Comments
Miranda @ Miranda Writes Blog
I have never been in a hot air balloon but I would love to go one day! I’d say it’s definitely on my bucket list. Great photos!
Katy
I have always wanted to go on a hot air ballon ride and my husband has never made it happen. I’ve mentioned it so many times, especially when we were dating, that I thought for sure he’d take me when he proposed. Nope. Oh well, maybe for our 10th anniversary since we’ve already passed the 5 year mark.
Katy
http://www.alittledailyhappiness.com
Aishwarya S
I had expected it to be really peaceful. But the whole noise scenario took out the fun for me. Thanks for sharing this. I’m glad you got one thing off of your list. 🙂
sara
Great photos! Gonna have to show this to my husband..He’s a hot air balloon skeptic (;
Karen M Peterson
I’ve never been hot air ballooning but I really want to go. Temecula sounds like a perfect place. And thanks for the tips!
Jessica Doll
I’d LOVE to do this! I was supposed to go in Napa but our trip was canceled due to wind. I’d love to make it back someday.
Theresa @DearCreatives
I have not been hot air ballooning. We were suppose to go once but, the weather turned and it got cancelled. Looks beautiful though!
Joanna
Beautiful pictures! I might get over my extreme fear of heights for the free mimosas…:)
Natalie Patalie
I’ve always wanted to do this! I never thought of it being loud and hot, but it makes a lot of sense when I think about it, hahah!
Amanda
Oh I have always wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride! It looks and sounds so much fun!
ana
You just inspired my next post ! I love your writing style it makes me think that I was there with you too . As a fashion blogger I am always looking to challenge fashion norms and you have inspired me me to create a balloon shoot . Thank you hun and great post look forward to reading more of your work xx
Michelle @ Sunshine and Hurricanes.com
Totally LOVE this! A hot air balloon ride is on my bucket list, too!!!!!
Stacey
The best part of being up there is the silence when they can turn off the fire. I felt so vulnerable standing in a basket floating up above my home town. Peaceful for a few moments. Glad you got to cross this off your list. Great pics! You can see pics from my trip last year here: http://positivelystacey.com/2014/10/up-up-and-away/
Bonnie @ Living a Fit and Full Life
That looks fun! I don’t think I’d be able to handle being up in the sky like that though.
Pam @ Hodge Podge Moments
I loved visiting Temecula! We didn’t get a chance to ride in a hot air balloon but I definitely want to if we go back again!
winifred jac
i would do many things for mimosas… not this! lol. so many bloggers have been sharing their amazing bucket list adventures and it’s so amazing that you guys are doing them, but even looking at your picks hurts my stomach. lol. so glad you got to do this though!
Karissa
I live near Temecula and have seen the balloons up in the air but never have gone in one.
Rebecca
This is so awesome! A hot air balloon ride is on mine too, such a great experience!
Denea Duran
I have always wanted to go but Im afraid of heights! I thought it would be super romantic but thanks for the heads up! I never thought about it being loud.
Debra
I have ALWAYS wanted to do this! Until I saw one catch one fire last week, scary!
Erin
Gorgeous photos! I’m so torn between dying to do this and being absolutely terrified! ahah!
Claire
Wow this looks amazing! I would be so scared!
Jamie
Gorgeous!! We drove through Temecula on the way to Oceanside from Hemet the summer before last. This is a much prettier view than what I saw LOL. Something on my bucket list…. I would like to surf.
Lauren
This looks like it would be amazing, but I seriously think I may be too chicken to try it!
Julie - "Girl on the Move"
It was a lot less scary than I was expecting…partly because we didn’t go nearly as high in the sky as I thought we might!