The State Fair Balloon Race with out me...

Well the Indiana State Fair Giant Hot Air Balloon Race has come and gone for another year. And, unfortunately from my point of view, it came and went without me. :-( Since I have had a grand total of ONE flight this year I didn't meet the "eligibility" requirements that Nick and Ruthie were forced to add a couple of years ago (long story). So I went this morning and crewed for an out of town pilot who came without any crew (not even a driver - strange, that). For those who have been around awhile it was the guy who years ago flew the Early Times Whiskey Bottle special shape. But this year he was flying just a regular balloon. He was impressed however when his crew picked out a landing site for him before he got there. We told him about it and he flew right to it.

The amazing part was that every pilot that flew threw their baggie and had it scored. Well except for Nick. He was the last one over the X and he just landed even though Ruthie warned him it would mean he was disqualified. If I remember correctly the furthest baggie was something like 131 feet from the X and there were only two or three over 75 feet. Two years ago I was sixth at 75 feet and last year not a single baggie was scored because we all missed the field where the hare landed. This year fifth place was 68 inches.