05/28/2026
I did promise the stories on the names so let me start introducing our balloons.
The final balloon in our fleet is Bubbles Up.
- Bubbles Up is the smallest balloon in our fleet at 42,000 cubic feet
- you could fit 3 and a half of Bubbles Up inside of Smile High for a bit of size perspective
- it is what is known as a hopper and only Carrie’s the pilot
-it was made by Phil Thompson at the Cameron factory using Cameron parts but is classified as an experimental balloon
- did you notice there is no basket? The pilot sits in a chair with the propane tanks below them
- Bubbles Up is both our oldest balloon and our lowest hour balloon having been built in 1989but currently only has 51 flight hours.
- I (Nicole) have wanted to own this balloon since the day I saw it
- I am going to bet at least some of you have looked at the balloon, read the name and figured out that I might be a Parrothead. And if you guessed that you would be correct. This balloon was commonly referred to before me as “the Jimmy Buffett balloon” and I wants for give it a fitting Jimmy Buffett inspired name. While Margaritavilla would have been fitting there are several other balloons I have seen with that name. Bubbles Up was the last song Jimmy Buffett recorded before he passed away. That song was released right about the time I purchased this balloon. I love the lyrics and meaning of the song but the name is also is a bit of a nod to the champagne toast after our balloon flights.