AUSTIN AERONAUTS : If you're in the Austin Texas area and looking to go for a hot air balloon ride contact David Smuck at www.austinaeronauts.com or if you have promotional advertising needs feel free as well. Austin Aeronauts provides several different services.
A Sunset while I was flying from Houston Texas to Columbus Ohio in August of 2005
While I was in Holland at my uncle's balloon festival I took this picture of the SNS Bank Balloon.
Mexican landscapes with balloons during last years Leon Festival in 2004
A closer look at the McDonald's Balloon flying in the Leon Festival in Mexico last year.
In the top left corner of this picture you'll see our McDonald's Hot Air Balloon flying super close to the surface of the water while participating in the Leon, Mexico Balloon Festival last year in 2004.
Look at the crowds of people in Leon, Mexico taking part in the balloon festival last year. This coming year...the festival is supposed to double in size. Cant wait !!!!
This picture was taken of my good friend Paola Saldana before we became friends back in 2003 down in Leon Mexico. The interesting thing was that the balloon i was flying in 2003 is in the background. Its the center balloon with the large yellow band going around the balloon.
The Upside Down Balloon getting ready to land on a farm field in Montreal, Quebec 2004
Grabbing a quick drink before the PILOT Briefing at the St.Jean Sur Richelieu International Balloon Festival in 2004
After the flight talking with two of the passenger's daughters while in Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2004
Landing site in the countryside of Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2004
While the upside down FESTO balloon was taking off....I was still hangin onto the basket. (CANADA 2004)
Me inspecting the balloons before hot air inflation of the FESTO right side up balloon. (St.Jean sur Richilieu, Quebec, Canada 2004)
Last year, my uncle over in Holland invited me to be apart of his FESTO in Quebec City, Canada for a two balloon festivals with FESTO in 2004. I truely had a blast visiting my home province and country for the first time in 12 years. Plus I gained lots of new friends while seeing old childhood friend that I haven't seen in a long long time.
Took this in New Mexico back in 1999. I thought it was coool, cause my mother would always wear this Virginia is for Lovers t-shirt. I was a famous motto when i was a kid growing up in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in the 1970's and 80's.
My former flight instructor and good family friend DAVID SMUCK. Without his help I wouldnt have become a hot air balloon pilot. I met David with I was fairly young in Hengelo, The Netherlands at one of my uncle's hot air balloon festivals. www.twenteballooning.nl Thank you David !!!
The Guanajuato Gang. During one of our last mornings in Guananjuato....all of us went out for breakfast in downtown Guanajuato. In the Picture: Dante, Norma, Chep, Ceci, Tom, Russell and David.
At the landing site for Javier's balloon in Guanajuato, Mexico (November 2004) In the Picture: David, Javier, Russell, Patty, Paloma, Chep's Sister and daughter.
David and Javier getting ready for take off in Guanajuato 2004. David and I had just arrived in Guanajuato when Javier asked David to come up with him. This was our first morning in November 2004. We were in town for the Leon Balloon Festival using the McDonald's Hot Air Balloon.
Inbetween flight lessons while down in
Guanajuato, a group of my local friend, my instructor and I hiked up La
Buffa in Guanajuato. La Buffa is an ancient peak/plateau in Guanajuato. Since
Guanajuato was founded in the 1500's by the Spanish explorers....people have
long hiked the exact peak we did. (November 2003)
Russell Jurg's Dreams and Visions of a Life in Hot Air Ballooning. QUOTE OF THE DAY :"You will not succeed
because you are destined to; You will succeed because you
are determined to."
Anatole France
While I was in Holland at my uncle's balloon festival I took this picture of the SNS Bank Balloon.
In the top left corner of this picture you'll see our McDonald's Hot Air Balloon flying super close to the surface of the water while participating in the Leon, Mexico Balloon Festival last year in 2004.
This picture was taken of my good friend Paola Saldana before we became friends back in 2003 down in Leon Mexico. The interesting thing was that the balloon i was flying in 2003 is in the background. Its the center balloon with the large yellow band going around the balloon.
Me inspecting the balloons before hot air inflation of the FESTO right side up balloon. (St.Jean sur Richilieu, Quebec, Canada 2004)
Last year, my uncle over in Holland invited me to be apart of his FESTO in Quebec City, Canada for a two balloon festivals with FESTO in 2004. I truely had a blast visiting my home province and country for the first time in 12 years. Plus I gained lots of new friends while seeing old childhood friend that I haven't seen in a long long time.
The Guanajuato Gang. During one of our last mornings in Guananjuato....all of us went out for breakfast in downtown Guanajuato. In the Picture: Dante, Norma, Chep, Ceci, Tom, Russell and David.
