Hot-Air Ballooning

Posted September 17, 2008 by Emily Faherty

Air Apparent

Up, up, and away in an open gondola, more than 15,000 customers of Alexandria Balloon Flights have experienced the beauty of autumn from unaccustomed heights.

“There’s no better way to see fall foliage than from 1,000 feet up in a balloon,” says Kevin Olsen, 65, the Pittstown company’s pilot and owner. “When you’re skimming the trees, you see the world from a different perspective—literally a bird’s-eye view—and the colors and smells can be magnificent.”

A Milford resident with more than 30 years of flying experience, Olsen says that Hunterdon County is Jersey’s ballooning mecca for two reasons. “The area has a beautiful natural landscape—rolling hills, an abundance of landing places—not to mention the necessary financial base for such a seemingly frivolous activity.”
Olsen and crew fly twice a day, every day, from April to November. Flights are scheduled for early and late in the day, when the air is most stable. At sunrise, you enjoy the early morning mist “when the world is a lot quieter.” At sunset, the balloon floats low over the glinting Delaware River.

42 Sky Manor Rd, Sky Manor Airport, Pittstown (888-HOT-AIR-7; njballooning.com).


More Hot-Air Ballooning:

American Balloon
Want to see a corn maze from thousands of feet in the air? This October, American Balloon and Tri-Dale Farm are teaming up for Corn Maze Flights at sunset during the farm’s weekend open houses. 211 Sidney Rd, Pittstown (908-534-5220; balloonride.net).

Balloonatics and Aeronuts
Right off the Delaware River in Harmony Township, rides offer stunning vistas of the Merrill Creek Reservoir, and a champagne picnic post-flight. 231 Brainards Rd, Phillipsburg (877-438-6359 or 908-454-3431; aeronuts.com).

In Flight Balloon Adventures
In Flight’s rides include a dinner flight in partnership with the nearby Spain Inn II Restaurant. Modica Farm, Clinton (888-301-2383; balloonnj.com).

Dancing on Air Balloon Voyages
On a clear day, you might see the skylines of Philadelphia and New York City, along with the beauty of the Delaware Water Gap and the rolling hills of Hunterdon County. Flemington (877-HOT-AIR-4; hot-air-ride.com).

Have Balloon Will Travel Inc.
Romantic getaways combine a sunrise or evening flight with an overnight stay at a local bed and breakfast. 57 Old Belvidere Rd, Phillipsburg (800-60-TO-FLY; haveballoonwilltravel.com).


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