McDonald's Hot Air Balloon Team

 If you have an event or a festival and would like to have the McDonald's Hot Air Balloon take part. Feel free to email Russ at jurg31@yahoo.com



GORDON BENNETT HELIUM BALLOON RACE

My uncle takes off tomorrow to compete in his FESTO helium balloon
 and hopes to win his first race for Holland.



To track my uncle's progress click on

 http://www.gordonbennett2010.com/tracking



TWENTE BALLOON FESTIVAL 2010 - HOLLAND



2010 Twente Ballooning - Nightglow



HOPES ARE HIGH

Haven't been ballooning much at all over the last year or so.

But I am remaining hopeful for more ballooning in the near future.

FIRST TIME in 8 YEARS - NO MEXICO :(

This Fall is the first Fall since 2003 that we wont be going down to Mexico for our annual Mexican adventure. But I am hopeful for next year. Im definitely going to miss being down there :(

Animoto.com

TRIP to HOLLAND this YEAR was CANCELLED :(

To better explain why my trip was canceled. Here are comments I posted on my facebook.com page as it unfolded:

- Looks like I'm not going to be doing any ballooning and won't be able visit my Oma and family in Holland this time. They are sending me back to Columbus cause my passport expires within 3 months :( I think I'm gonna cry. I'm sooo ...pissed and sad at the same time. This is such BULLSHIT !!!

- I guess ill have to plans things now for next summer and this fall to visit my family and do some ballooning in Europe. Still verrrry disappointed and pissed off. But I guess I should use the advice someone gave me a while back...don't stress over things we can't control.

- I keep telling myself that everything happens for a reason. but it still sucks at the time something doesn't go as planned.

- I'm unfortunately back in Columbus Ohio. But should've almost been in Holland at this time. It was a 12 hour and 30 minute round trip for NOTHING !!!! :(

ONLY 5 DAYS til HOLLAND

GOING BACK TO HOLLAND in AUGUST

Heading back over to Holland
in August for my uncle's balloon festival
and to visit family and friends.

August 22nd-31st, 2009

www.twenteballooning.nl

FIRST ENTRY OF 2009

Havent been ballooning since December of 2008 unfortunately. So no real updates on my balloon adventures. I have a few things that could begin to develop, but I just cant seem to make any serious decisions about what next steps I should make to see my ballooning career grow to the next level. Confusion ??!?!??! :(

World Record attempt planned for 2009

My uncle Rien over in Holland is attempting to break a hot air balloon world record sometime in 2009 for the longest flight. With a new revolutionary insulated balloon material that will allow my uncle's balloon to travel further and use less fuel during his flight. He is planning to take up from western Canada and travel 6-7 hours across Canada.

My Uncle's Balloon Nightglow 2008

My uncle's hot air balloon nightglow over in Hengelo, The Netherlands during his annual hot air balloon festival.

MEXICO BALLOON ADVENTURE 2008 SLIDESHOW