Balloon Ride

The other week, I was stuck in the burrow during one of those torrential summer downpours. I was surfing the internet and came across a video posted by a very clever chipmunk who claimed you could build a hot air balloon for less than $2. I am always up for a new challenge. All you needed for the project is a ball of string, a balloon, and wicker basket. I found some string in Mom’s gardening supplies, bought a pack of balloons for a 99 cents at the discount store, and small basket at goodwill. Total cost $1.99. By now you’re probably wondering how the little lungs of a chipmunk going to blow up a balloon. Well, they are not. I put on my cutest face and knocked on Mom’s door asked a favor. She can’t resist my charming whiskers.

With the balloon inflated, I installed the ropes over the top and secured them to the basket. I had the whole outfit tethered to a large stone while I was working. My project got a lot of attention in the Woodpile. Some of my buddies thought I finally had fallen off the edge of the Woodpile this time. Merry dropped by and asked a thought provoking question: “Where do you plan on traveling to in your hot air balloon?” I was so caught up in building it, I didn’t give any consideration as to a destination. Merry offered to suggest a place, if I would take him for a ride. That sounded like a good deal. Merry ran off to his burrow to pack a picnic lunch while I got the balloon ready for take off.

I was testing the setup and realized something was not quite right. With only two support ropes the basket was a bit tipsy.

When the wife dropped by I pretended everything was okay.

I was at a loss as to how to fix the problem. One the kids kept trying to get my attention.

She asked why I didn’t Google the answer.

Duh why didn’t I think of that.

Turns out you need four ropes for the basket not two. I fixed it.

… then the tether rope snapped and the balloon started to ake off without me. I made a flying leap to grab it.

Hey, Merry hurry up with that picnic lunch.

 

And we are off!

 

The finished balloon

DESTINATION: Mount Agamenticus, York, Maine

Merry spent the entire trip huddled in the bottom of the basket. He discovered he is afraid of heights! However, once we landed on the summit, Merry had a grand time.

Mount Agamenticus overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day you can see Nubble Lighthouse. No luck today, too hazy.

Here is Merry touching the clouds.

Merry has dreams of climbing Mount Washington someday.