Released: May 15, 2008
Plymouth, MI 48170
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Up there, balloonists hear deer sprinting through the woods before they see them. They spot fish swimming in the lakes and ponds just outside the reach of anglers who desperately seek them.
It’s an incredible experience. And those who operate hot air balloons in Michigan love to share it with anyone daring enough to take flight. As an avid hot air balloon pilot since 1982 and fan of Michigan’s natural wonders, Scott Lorenz has been fortunate to see the beauty of Michigan from a slightly above the treetops.
“Just about every year we fly directly over a great blue heron rookery located on an island in Kensington Park’s Kent Lake near Milford. It’s pretty incredible to see dozens of these giant birds with their six-foot wing spans hovering around their nests. We’ve peered down directly into their bushel basket sized nests with one or two eggs,” says Lorenz, President of Westwind Balloon Company.
“I flew an Ornithologist from the University of Michigan a few years ago and he helped me identify dozens of birds by sight and sound. Now I recognize the sweet call of Sand Hill Cranes half a mile away and tell my passengers to keep an eye out for them. I am fortunate to meet some incredible people in my business and learn something from every flight.” “In fact, I flew the Chief Meteorologist from Ann Arbor’s Weather Underground. Considering hot air ballooning is 100% weather related I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions about the nuances of Michigan weather at sunrise and sunset. Lorenz has flown some notables too including Lila Lazarus from FOX-2 along with a passenger whose last wish was to fly in a balloon, which was all caught on tape by the FOX-2 helicopter in hot pursuit. Legendary Detroit guitarist Josh White even brought his guitar along for a concert in the air. “There’s never a dull moment in this business.”
What’s the best time to go? Hot air balloons fly in Michigan May thru October. Lorenz says “springtime is nice, but summer’s pretty cool too and you can’t beat the fall colors in October!”
Most balloon rides last about one hour and Lorenz flies over the woods and streams of Kensington Park. He and several other pilot friends meet at Park 'n Ride area off Milford Road and I-96 (exit # 155) about 2 1/2 hours before sunset. From there he’ll launch helium balloons, determine the wind direction, then take a short drive to one of nine launch sites in the area that give the best views and best landing sites downwind.
“Sometimes the landing can be like taking an elevator ride and others can be a little more exciting that’s why great care is taken in making the ‘go’ or ‘no-go’ decision on each flight based upon the weather,” says Lorenz.”
What to wear? Lorenz suggests passengers wear tennis shoes and jeans. He says the air temp “upstairs” is within a couple degrees of ground temp so its not a factor. Cameras and video cameras are highly reccomended to preserve the once in a lifetime moments while flying over the countryside.
Flights cost $695 for a private ride which is two passengers and the pilot. All flights are pre-paid. Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover and PayPal are accepted. Gift certificates are available.
To really appreciate all that Michigan has to offer, call a balloonist and schedule a flight today, because if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you … the view is better from above.
To Schedule a Fight contact:
Westwind Balloon Company- Plymouth, Michigan, Flying over Kensington Park, Brighton, South Lyon and Milford. 734-667-2098 www.westwindcos.com/balloon Scott Lorenz, Pilot and Owner.
Here’s a 2008 Schedule of Michigan Hot Air Balloon Events for this summer
June 6-8 ~ Carson City Frontier Days, Carson City, MI
Contact: Lainie Niemi, 989-584-3422 http://www.carsoncityfrontierdays.com
June 27-29 ~ Michigan Challenge Balloonfest, Howell, MI
Contact: Howell Area Chamber of Commerce; Michelle Tokan, 517-546-3920
www.howell.org (Look for pilot Gordon Boring at this event)
July 2-6 ~ Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival Featuring 60 Balloons and the Blue Angels ( Look for pilot Scott Lorenz at this event) Contact: 269-962-0592 www.bcballoons.com
The 2008 Jackson Hot Air Jubilee, Jackson, MI has been cancelled but they do plan on an event in 2009.
July 26-27 Capt Phogg Balloon Classic Seven Lakes State Park, Fenton, MI
Contact: Balloon Quest, Inc.: 248-634-3094
For Balloon Rides contact:
Westwind Balloon Company- Plymouth, MI, Flying over Kensington Park, Brighton, South Lyon and Milford. 734-667-2098 www.westwindcos.com/balloon Scott Lorenz, Pilot and Owner.
For Groups of 4 to 6 call Wicker Basket Balloon Center: 248-624-5137
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Scott Lorenz (scottlorenz@comcast.net)
President
Westwind Communications
1310 Maple Street
Plymouth, MI 48170
Phone : 734-667-2090
Fax : 734-455-7090
Michigan Hot Air Balloon Ride Information
Courtesy FeaturesUSA.com