wordsmith
Outting Idea:
The Temecula
Hot Air Balloon Festival
The festival is actually called the "Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival," and most people get there around 11am or noon and spend the day (and lots of money!) eating and drinking at blah festival-style tents, long after the morning ascension has taken place and the balloons have landed elsewhere around Temecula.
No, no, no.
I'm here to tell you that taking your little sister or brother at the crack of dawn and doing this festival "Albuquerque-style" (and alcohol-free, of course) will result in one of the most fun, colorful, and surreal outtings the two of you will ever experience.
I say "Albuquerque-style" because I'm from Albuquerque, where the world's largest hot air balloon festival is held each year. And we know how to do it right. Crowds begin arriving at 4:30am to photograph and experience the whole process of ballooning--from the unrolling of the gigantic sky travelers, to the billowing of the envelopes (using massive fans), to their uprising in the heat of the burners' colorful flames, to their peaceful lift-off, waving to the passengers as they happily float away into the great beyond!
The early-morning ascension *is* the festival, and there's something really magical about being out there at sunrise, all bundled up, coffee and hot chocolate in hand, witnessing the whole process of the dream-like, free and artistic activity that is hot air ballooning. My little sister was in absolute awe, snapping away picture after picture on her phone.
So! Here's how it's done:
~Arrive at the grounds at 5:45am, with $10 cash for parking, and with your hot breakfast in hand (because the breakfast burrito vendor doesn't open until later, and the burritos are no bueno).
Festival address:
Lake Skinner Recreation Area
37701 Warren Road
Winchester, CA 92596
Nearest McDonald's (opens at 5am):
30580 Rancho California Rd
Temecula, CA 92591
~Line up at the ticket window, which opens at 6am, for your "earlybird special" ticket rate, which is $10 for adults (rather than $28). Tix for kids 12 and under are just $5.
~Head on in and walk around taking pictures, soaking up the whole process. Educate yourself about hot air ballooning before you go so that you can educate your Little. Ask him or her, When do you think hot air balloons were invented? (A: 1793) Before or after airplanes? (A: before!) What country do you think they were invented in? (A: France) What do you think came before hot air balloons that were similar? (A: floating lanterns in China used for military signaling)
~Once the balloons are up, GET IN LINE QUICK for a "tethered ride," which is included in your ticket price. (Once they run out of propane and/or the temperature rises beyond a certain degree, they tell the rest of people in line that there are no more rides to be had!) You and your Little will get to go up in a balloon together that is tethered--meaning you'll just go up a bit and return back to the same spot, rather than to go off into the sky and land somewhere with the help of a "chase crew." Now's a good time to ask your Little, What do you think happens to the balloons that go for full rides, off into the sky? The answer is that a truck full of helpers "chases" the balloon (they watch for where the balloon appears to be headed and maintain contact with the pilot using a two-way radio) out into the desert, and they all get out of the truck and run after the basket as it nears the ground to help it safely land. Landings can sometimes be very bumpy! Also ask, What do you think the pilot does if he wants to fly higher? (A: he gives the balloon more fire, because heat rises) and What do you think the pilot does if he wants to fly a different direction? (A: He changes the altitude--by providing more fire to go up, or by venting hot air out the top to go down--because the wind blows in different directions at different altitudes.)
~After your tethered ride, you might like to let your Little buy a $5 souvenir from the souvenir wagon (you can't miss it). There are hot air balloon Christmas tree ornaments and keychains and canvas paintings and more, all for $5!
~Head back to the car to leave behind your souvenirs and the warm clothes you've removed (the temperature will rise from early-morning cold to desert hot in a matter of hours!), and you can grab your picnic blanket and whatever else you packed for the day. Spread your picnic blanket out on the lawn inside the festival grounds and relax as the remaining balloons in the sky float overhead.
Ideas:
-Bring or buy (at the souvenir wagon) a hot air balloon puzzle to put together.
-Play a hot air balloon game together on your tablet if you have one, like this cute (and free) one on PBS's web site: http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/games/game_balloon.html
-Bring other games to play (Jenga?).
-Write in your diaries about today's fun.
~Also bring healthy snacks (nuts, turkey jerky, carrot sticks with dip, etc.- you know what your Little likes!) and water, lots of water.
~Take a walk along the bike & pedestrian path to beautiful nearby Lake Skinner before heading home.
Tips:
~Skip the festival vendors (except the souvenir wagon). It's hot and boring standing in the long lines, and the food is expensive and super greasy.
~Wear layers. Beanies and warm jackets recommended for the early morning, tanktops and flip flops for the late morning!
~Make sure your camera and phone batteries are fully charged for all the photos you'll want to take!
Have fun!!
Neither of us likes smiling in front of a camera...
but we try...for you... ;)
