Methow Valley News

Locally grown, internationally known

Winthrop Balloon Roundup 2014

by

Madison Marsh, center, assists crew members Chico and Myrtle Flores in the process of getting the air out of the Outer Limits balloon. Madison was aboard the Outer Limits to celebrate her 14th birthday. Photo by Darla Hussey
Madison Marsh, center, assists crew members Chico and Myrtle Flores in the process of getting the air out of the Outer Limits balloon. Madison was aboard the Outer Limits to celebrate her 14th birthday. Photo by Darla Hussey

Birthday balloon

It isn’t unusual to get balloons for your birthday, but taking a ride in one is a unique way to celebrate. Madison Marsh got an unexpected thrill Saturday morning when she was invited to celebrate her 14th birthday by taking a ride in the Outer Limits hot air balloon, here from Newberg, Ore. to take part in the Winthrop Balloon roundup. The crew of the Outer Limits, piloted by Dale Justice, know a thing or two about birthdays — the youngest crew member is 70 years old and the oldest is 83. Though none of the crew would ’fess up to who was oldest, Chico Flores and his wife Myrtle (shown packing up the balloon with birthday girl Madison Marsh) did admit to fifteen years flying balloons.
Photos by Darla Hussey

Gallery

Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Kenny Hussey
Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Darla Hussey
The Outer Limits Balloon out of Newberg, Oregon. Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Darla Hussey
Landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey
Landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey
Landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey
Landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey
Photo by Dean Hussey
Landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey
Landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey>
Landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey
If one didn’t know better, it might seem as if this balloon had simply stopped for a refueling. Photo by Darla Hussey
Alas, entertaining juxtapositions aside, this balloon has reached the end of its flight for the day. Photo by Darla Hussey
Landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey
Landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey
Landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey
Landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey
Landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey
The Outer Limits balloon out of Newberg, Oregon, landing at the North Cascades Smokejumper base. Photo by Darla Hussey
The Outer Limits balloon landing at North Cascades Smokejumper Base north of Twisp with second crew chief, Steve Justice, running to grab the anchor tether. Photo by Darla Hussey
The crew of the Outer Limits balloon exiting after a lovely float down the Methow Valley. Photo by Darla Hussey
The Outer Limits balloon settled to a final landing spot in the middle of a runway at North Cascades Smokejumper Base. Photo by Darla Hussey
The crew of the Outer Limits balloon and bystanders work to bring her back to earth. Photo by Darla Hussey
The crew of the Outer Limits balloon and bystanders work to bring her back to earth. Photo by Darla Hussey
Pilot Dale Justice works to get the Outer Limits balloon ready to pack up for transport. Photo by Darla Hussey
Pilot Dale Justice, left, and first crew chief Mary Heath work to get the Outer Limits balloon ready to pack up for transport. Photo by Darla HusseyPhoto by Darla Hussey
Steve Justice (left), second crew chief and brother of pilot Dale Justice, center, and crew chief Mary Heath beginning to work the air out of the Outer Limits balloon. Photo by Darla HusseyPhoto by Darla Hussey
Madison Marsh, center, assists crew members Chico and Myrtle Flores in the process of getting the air out of the Outer Limits balloon. Madison was aboard the Outer Limits to celebrate her 14th birthday. Photo by Darla Hussey
The crew gets a little help with the balloon-flattening process. Photo by Darla Hussey
From left, Chico Flores, pilot Steve Justice, Myrtle Flores and crew chief Mary Heath work at putting the Outer Limits back into its bag. Compare the size of the inflated balloon to the size of its carrying bag to get an idea of just how little material holds these behemoths aloft. Photo by Darla Hussey
Pilot Steve Justice does the “hoop dance” that will maneuver the ring back into a size that will fit inside the carrying bag. Brother Steve Justice, 2nd crew chief, looks on. Photo by Darla Hussey
Chico Flores and pilot Steve Justice ready the Outer Limits’ burners and gondola for transport.Photo by Darla Hussey