06/30/2025
The Flight of the Kubicek(s) Part Dva*
*dva is the Czech word for the numeral
two. I looked it up because Kubicek
balloons are manufactured in the
Czeck Republic and I wanted to
impress my readers with my
erudosity.
An Aside: Before I share with you, Dear Friends,
the conclusion of my most extraordinary
story of all of my extraordinary ballooning
stories, I feel it necessary to allay any
doubt that my parents invested in
my education, specifically my English
language skills. Oftentimes my grammar,
punctuation, and vocabulary do not
adhere to the rules set forth in the bible
of composition “Strunk & White Elements
of Style”. Frankly, I find the rules stifling so
I have developed my own rules, but, again I
do know the accepted methodology of
writing.
Ruth & Mark & Skip & I attended the reunion on Saturday and took flight on Sunday morning. Our classmates Valerie Miller along with her daughter, Tiffany, and Dottie Rogers met us in Collierville at the ghastly hour of 6am to launch the balloons and go for a ride. The pilots inflated their Kubicek(s) side by side, which was awesome! Hot air balloons do not inflate themselves, therefore pilots depend on their crew to make it happen. Ruth, co-owner of Dances with Clouds, wife to pilot Mark, and classmate to all of the females on the field (sans Tiffany), is a great crewer. She efficiently assisted Mark in the assembly their balloon and lent a helping hand with Mischief. The high school “girls” did their fair share, too!
The only thing better than a hot air balloon is two hot air balloons. The majesty of a balloon envelope fully inflated, standing over her burners, with the pilot standing under them, is best described through pictures. Words do not suffice. Valerie and Tiffany flew in Dances with Clouds, and Dottie rode with me in Mischief. We enjoyed a smooth launch on a gorgeous morning.
Once we were aloft our crew, Matt and Donovan, battened down the inflation fan, hopped into the Balloon-Mobile, and off they went to chase Mischief. Ruth followed suit. I observed our chase crew from a birds-eye view, and alas, it is true. 16 year old Donovan and 15 year old Matt are perfectly capable balloon chasers. They don’t need help from me.
An Aside: I was quite uneasy once I was in the basket
and the launch commenced. I had not
escaped firma terra in three years, and
my recently repaired spinal cord and
cobbled together vertebrae affect my
balance. I was unsure that I would be able
to stand on a floating floor. I successfully
managed it, and it was exhilarating to once
again fly with The Skipper.
Skip’s precision flying was superb. We stayed right behind Mark for the duration. As we approached Herb Parsons lake we saw Mark execute a “waterfall”. A waterfall is a maneuver in which the pilot flies low over water then dips the lower third of the basket into the water. As he rises up the water that’s in the basket cascades out through the wicker, which is vaguely reminiscent of a waterfall…there you go…Bob’s your uncle…shoulder shrug, shoulder scrug. Well…while Skip was admiring Mark waterfall he got low, and the next thing I know we are submerged ankle dip. He accomplished a mini waterfall. And I had wet feet. I cannot abide wet feet.
An Aside: Drowning a passenger’s shoes and socks
is intolerable. Trust me, if your pilot
attempts to dazzle you by executing a
waterfall or a splash & dash, he is just
showing off.
The water was up to my ankles. I slowly turned my
head as far as it would go, and then swiveled my body so I could give Skip the ol’ what-for. He said, to no one in particular, that he’d be hearing about wet feet in soaked shoes and socks for a long time. Ha! I showed him! I never said one word about it..EVER!
We landed, packed up and then gathered at the pavilion for the post-flight celebration. As we sat around the table eating breakfast, we shared our stories and photos. It was wonderful to catch up. It was wonderful to spend time with them.
The best part of ballooning? The stories. It is always the stories.
