BUDS 2004

While in Austin, Texas, my old Nashville roomate and friend Tanner M. Lawley came down from his home in Dallas, Texas to see me before David Smuck and I headed down to Guanajuato Mexico for our balloon adventure in November 2004.

Pena de Bernal Adventure Trip 2003

This picture of David and I was taking from other balloon. In the distance you'll be able to see the Coppel Balloon. This was one of my favorite flight ever. December 2003

Javier's Balloon Zorro - 2004

This is the balloon that I did my first solo flight in.

JURG BALLOON - 1985

MY FIRST HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT EVER !!! While in Holland in 1985....my Opa(Grandfather), my uncle Rien as the pilot, my father and I went up in my uncle's Yellow Pages Balloon. It was my very first hot air balloon flight ever. I can still remember everything as if it was yesterday.

Sunrise Flight

A morning balloon flight in Guanajuato, Mexico 2004

PILOT RUSSELL JURG

Canadian Pilot Russell Jurg in Guanajuato, Mexico. This picture was taken right after my very 1st solo flight. After my solo flight i had a huge smile on my face all day long. It had to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life. When i was up there by myself, everything was soooooooo surreal. I seriously thought i was dreaming. I will never forget that first time.

1st Inflation of Pilot Training 2003

Thanks to David Smuck and his company AUSTIN AERONAUTS I was able to achieve my childhood dream of becoming a hot air balloon pilot in 2003. Thank you Dave for everything. Go to www.austinaeronauts.com if you're in the Austin Texas area and would like to catch a flight or even become a pilot as well.

NEVER FORGET

Nation Remembers Victims of 9/11 Attacks
Sunday September 11, 2005 3:31 PM

I CAN'T BELIEVE ITS BEEN 4 YEARS ALREADY SINCE THAT HORRIBLE DAY. GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO DIED 4 YEARS AGO TODAY.

Balloon Siloettes

Took this in Guanajuato, Mexico November 2004

INSIDE the UPSIDE DOWN BALLOON

This what it looks like inside of the upside down hot air balloon. You'll notice that you cant see anything all of the way around the basket.

Wave Good Bye

My good friend and flight instructor David Smuck waving a send off to the passengers in the British balloon during the balloon festival in Guanajuato last year.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but
I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."

Jimmy Dean

SKY HIGH

With this shot you can get an idea of what its like to be up in the air with several other balloons. If you look closely you'll be able to see the McDonald's Balloon. 2nd one on the left. This picture was taken in Leon, Mexico.

Pre Flight Check 2

Before one of my morning flights in Mexico I had to untangle my redline. The redline control the parachute at the top of the balloon to release hot air from the balloon to make a desent and possible landing.

Getting Ready for Flight

This was me getting ready for one of my morning training flight down in Guanajuato, Mexico. I took two of my Mexican friends Javier and Paloma up with me and my flight instructor/friend David.

SKIMMING THE WATER

Its common during flights for a balloon pilot to skim across the water and hydroplane with the wind blowing the balloon basket softly across the water. This is a picture that I took while in Leon Mexico last year.

A PANDA BEAR IN MEXICO???

Believe it or not...there was a PANDA BEAR in Mexico last year!!! lol ... verrrry coool balloon !!!

Attack of the BIG BEE

LOOK AT ALL OF THE PEOPLE with a HUGE BEE FLYING OVERHEAD in LEON MEXICO 2004. HOPEFULLY NO ONE GETS STUNG!!!!

McDonald's President and Family

This is a picture of McDonald's Mexico Regional President and Owner Oscar Munoz Paz and his family getting ready to take off for their 1st flight in the McDonald's Hot Air Balloon during the Leon, Mexico Balloon Festival last year in 2004. Mr. and Mrs. Paz and their two boys had a perfect flight which lasted almost 2 hours, if not longer then 2 hours. It became a true Indiana Jones Adventure. One that Im sure they will remember for years to come.

Bubbles of Balloons

Several balloon preparing to take off during the Leon Mexico balloon festival in 2004. The orange balloon is the Home Depot Balloon. Over 20,000 people were there to see the balloons every morning. Not to mention all of the people in the streets throughout the city of Leon.