Flight Journal
Indianola 50th Anniversary
July 14, 2021
Event: Indianola 50th Anniversary
2021-07-14
We had the most amazing day yesterday. We took Peter’s old balloon, Morning Glory, built in 1977 to the Lindstrand factory in Galena. My plan is to glow it at indianola’s 50th anniversary of their first hot air balloon event later this month and I needed to know it was safe for me to inflate. I knew if anyone could make sure it was in working order it would be Phil and Lisa. The burner presented somewhat of a challenge but Phil used his magic and figured out how to make it work. Maggie, sweet Maggie, now has her very own, one of a kind ,Lindstrand dog leash thanks to Devon. After we got home we couldn’t wait to inflate Morning Glory, especially with the vintage, 1977, burner. A special thanks to Phil and Lisa for always taking care of me and to my crew that helped in Galena and the crew that helped back home: Bill, Chris, Reid, Ryan, John, Jayden and Miss Maggie
2021-08-01
These photos are from last night’s opening ceremonies for the 50th reunion of balloons at Indianola. A bunch of us “old timers” inflated old balloons. I inflated Peters’s balloon Morning Glory, 1977 vintage. The inflation window was very small because of wind and an approaching storm . It was great to be part of history.
Grandson Spencer was here from New York. Julie and Carrie, sisters who were part of Peter’s original crew as little girls back in 1974, were here from California and Florida. The rest of the group, all from the Cedar Rapids/Marion area, Bill, Chris, Michelle, Ryan, Jan, Mathew, Kristen, Tom, Kevin and Peter all have special connections to the late Peter Stamats. A variety of people from our group took the pictures. Thank you for helping. Hopefully tonight it will be very calm and we can inflate and glow.
2021-08-01
These are a few of the many many pictures from yesterday. We started at the National Balloon Museum followed by a stop for ice cream. Then onto Hubbel Hall at Simpson for the dinner and program. The winds were very light so the inflation and glow at the old launch field were perfect! It was a thrill to be part of the 50th anniversary! A thrill to have family and friends take part. Maggie was delighted with all the people she met. Thank you to my wonderful crew. I couldn’t have done it without you!
2021-08-01
So strange to be chasing balloons this morning, waiting at a target, watching instead of being in the air. Strange but entertaining. It was an endless stream of balloons , fast paced but as they descended toward the "X" they slowed down only to climb again into the fast layer and head to the next target. It was a wonderful ending to an already fabulous weekend!
