When Someone Offers You a Ride...

[mph]

Yep, like the title states; when someone offers you a ride--take it! Especially if the ride is in a hot air balloon!



The family and I headed down to the southeastern corner of Utah this past weekend. Specifically, the small town of Bluff, Utah. The town is a gateway to Anasazi heaven...ruins, rock art, pottery, and signs of a culture that called the area home 800 years ago! We had always seen pictures of the balloon festival and knew we needed to check it out. With winter taking a break up here in Park City; we rallied south to see it first hand. I'm glad we did...

Ruins are the name of the game...They are everywhere. Find a canyon; and go explore. You will find the goods!



Lilly and Louise exploring an ancient kiva.



The handprints...the corn, grinding stones...it seemed like a nice work area 800 years ago!



We weren't the first white people to visit this place. The Wetherhills 1892??? The Wetherhills were one of first white people to explore the area. The were all over the southeastern corner of Utah.



Lilly and I exploring the cave and the ruins it held.



Magic hour...time to rally to Bluff!



What an evening! The balloon festival starts off with participants firing up their balloons to show their true colors!





The day ended on a glorious note! Tomorrow, would be good!



More to come...

 

[piratexpress1369a]

way cool

 

[pmatusov]

way cool indeed!

 

[mph]

The following day, we awoke to a spooky sunrise with fog over the San Juan River valley. The balloons were supposed to take off at sunrise. We were a little late but the timing was perfect. The balloonists had to wait a while for the fog to clear. When it did...The Valley of the Gods was gorgeous!



After our glorious ride, we searched for more ruins and rock art. This rock art panel had so much going on!



Hiking in canyon country is so nice...



Lilly had fun taking Ginger out for a hike searching for ruins! Ginger seemed a little tired!



We were successful in finding ruins. Some might only stand for a few more years. Louise and Lilly taking an afternoon break.





It didn't feel like January on this lovely evening. Our desert itch was satisfied for now...We will be back. Until then...

 

[SmoothLC]

Like

 

[DVD]

Reminds me of one of my favorite sayings: "When you are invited, go."

 

[mph]

That is a great saying...Thanks...I am going to steal it

Reminds me of one of my favorite sayings: "When you are invited, go."

 

[Willman]

Thanks for sharing! What a cool adventure!

 

[Garbinator]

Beautiful photos, regards accepting a ride, I would first make sure the pilot offering the invite was not of the frosh-soft week two of ballon piloting.

Looks to me like a wonderful experience.