The strangest plant grew over the past month or so - right in front of our house next to the boxwood bushes and the gardenia bushes. We let it grow - turned out to be a watermelon vine! One of those seeds that got spit during the summer must have decided it was time to reproduce! Well, this is as far as that baby is going to get....the frost got most of the leaves, but the little watermelon s still "hanging on".



I was driving near Siler City this morning and just couldn't resist stopping the car and snapping this pretty fall photo!


Yesterday, our neighbor Dick (as in giver-of-veggies-Dick) called and asked if we would like to be the "chase" crew for a balloon flight. Turns out to be the first time that he was going to take on a passenger - Lindy, his beloved.

Because of the prevailing winds, we took the balloon (on his trailer) to a field close by.

Here the balloon is all blown up - Duane has just come back from holding the "guy-wire" (I assume that's how you would spell that!!) While inflating the balloon, as it rises, someone has to hold a very long rope attached to the top of the balloon to guide the balloon as it inflates. Then you just let go of the rope - it just hangs there until the balloon is deflated.


Here they are silently floating away....the dairy farmers on the adjoining farm had come to see what all the commotion was about. We sat and chatted with them for a little while as the balloon drifted away. (We knew the farmers vaguely anyway).
Soon, Duane and I got in the truck/trailer and followed the balloon....simple as that. We had 2 way radios, so we could talk to them, but mostly we could just see them in the distance. It was a bit of a challenge to decide which road to turn down. But, we figured it out in the end.




They ended up in a different diary farmer's field, about 3 or 4 miles away. There was not much wind, so very little drift (I understand this is a GOOD thing as far as balloons are concerned!)

Apparently, a balloon landing in your field draws attention - a couple of different farmers came up on their "gator" to offer assistance. Very nice folks!




Dick had brought champagne for a "successful balloon flight" toast....he insisted the farmers take part. He even brought disposable champagne flutes.....cool!



P.S. figured you're going to ask - yes, Lindy said she enjoyed the flight....and no, we're not likely to fly with him....not our cup of tea to be (mostly) out of control of the ultimate destination. Plus, I'm afraid of heights if I'm not moving forward at a pretty good clip!!!