  Yountville
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 57 Yountville Tips.86 Yountville Photos.0 Yountville Videos. Yountville Pages by Geisha_Girl
Tips 1 - 10 of 26 Yountville Things to Do
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Things To Do: All that hot air......
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Lots of preparation is required to take every precaution and ensure a safe ride during the one hour journey.
The immediate reaction upon seeing these "wicker picnic baskets" and deflated parachutes was "How the heck is that thing gonna hold us?"
Once you get over the initial skepticism......it is all smooth sailing......er I mean balloooning!
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Things To Do: It helps to bring along your own INSPECTOR......
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Things To Do: The Preparation
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Before takeoff, you are advised to arrive at 6am to the Napa Valley Grille in Yountville. There is a reserved dining area in the back where you are greeted with a light breakfast, registration information, and an introduction to what lies ahead of you in the journey.
The morning we arrived (a crisp Autumn morning in September), the dining area was full of fellow "balloon travelers"...... who were all informed that there was a thick layer of fog across the Napa Valley.
Under no circumstances are the balloonists allowed to lift off in such conditions.
What's this? No flights over vineyards and wineries? What's the point?
Our option? They would shuttle us over the valley to the other side where the conditions are much clearer and we are guaranteed a beautiful ride. The name of the location?
PARADISE
So off we go......the guests are piled into several vans for a 50 minute (that's five zero) ride to Paradise.
So we didn't see vineyards and wineries, but we did see walnut groves and horse ranches......No matter, we were in PARADISE!!!
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Things To Do: What to wear?
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When you take a "walk through the clouds" in a hot air balloon, the main advice that is mandatory for any ride is "KEEP IT LIGHT." You must come on the journey with as minimal as possible.
No backpacks, no heavy camera bags........and layering is key. When you are on the ground on a crisp autumn morning, there could be a slight chill, but as the journey progresses and you are up in the air, the temperatures rise as the balloon rises.
Men are advised to wear caps since we are in such closed quarters near the propane tanks and the hot air from the canopy could potentially "thin out the top" so to speak!
Also, for the smokers out there, you better get the nicotine fix way before you enter anywhere near the balloons. No smoking is allowed at any time during the 60 minute flight.
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Things To Do: How Do They Do That?
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What are hot air balloons made of?
A reinforced fabric called rip-stop nylon (some balloons are made of acron). The material is very lightweight, but is very strong. The fabric is coated on the inside to prevent leaks.
The envelope is stretched out and attached to the basket. A powerful fan is used to cold inflate the envelope. When partially inflated, the air is heated by a burner and the envelope rises above the basket. With further heating, there is sufficient 'lift' for the balloon to fly.
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Things To Do: Flight of THE MAYFLOWER
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Here they are preparing our balloon. We were assigned THE MAYFLOWER.
Typically there are 6, 8 or 10 passengers (and the pilot!) per balloon. We had only 4 passengers and the pilot.
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Things To Do: The Inspector makes his rounds
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We must ensure the Mayflower is in top condition before her Maiden Voyage!
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Things To Do: O What A Tangled Web they Weave.......
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Things To Do: What's the WORD Inspector?
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The Inspector gives the TWO THUMBS UP signal that all is clear!
Allez Allez!!!!!
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More Yountville Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 26 - Photos: 26 | Restaurants
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3 | Hotels & Accommodations | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | Transportation | Local Customs | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
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Join a Discussion Is restaurant and B&B all that it's rated to be?
(3 replies, Thursday, May 31, 2007, 7:04 PM UTC) Brix Sunday Brunch
(1 replies, Sunday, Feb 26, 2006, 9:26 AM UTC) Napa Valley Railway Inn
(1 replies, Sunday, Dec 28, 2003, 5:14 PM UTC) » All Yountville Posts
» Ask about Yountville |
 Comments for Geisha_Girl about Yountville | | | | |
Anchovy56 Tue Jul 18, 2006 17:02 UTC
Well I would say that for me they would suck as straws, but to each his own...I could banter with you all day and not get one bit tired...Hows that for stamina? :o) | luckyzen Thu Dec 15, 2005 21:28 UTC
It must've been nice to be up and away in paradise, G_G! A wonderful page. Thank you. Right now, I hope you are enjoying the madness.:) | jessicadf Wed Dec 1, 2004 20:07 UTC
As close to Santa Rosa as you get... wasn't that sweet that Dad and Linda sang My Romance? Awww... I'm a lucky girl! | cazz38 Thu Sep 16, 2004 13:57 UTC
HI,FANTASTIC PHOTOS. |
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on Oct 11, 2003
