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Old 07-09-2018, 10:04 AM   #1
kjkam
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Default Hot Air Balloon Rides

Looking to setup a private hot air balloon ride over the lake as a surprise to my wife for our anniversary. I've searched google, but haven't come up with much, hoping the forums can help

Thanks
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Old 07-09-2018, 10:15 AM   #2
chaseisland
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Default anniversary

Check out seaplane tours, pilot David French. I did this several anniversarys ago. Really surprised the wife. It is also not as dependent upon the weather. If you do find a hot air balloon please PM me. I'd love it. Good luck.
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Old 07-09-2018, 10:17 AM   #3
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Google "Balloon NH" and there are 98.5MM responses including a couple of upcoming balloon festivals in Pittsfield and Suncook Valley Rotary.
High 5 travels all over. I took my kids out with them several years ago for a Father's Day event, there were three balloons so it was an extra to be able to see other balloons, take their pix and have ours taken.
http://www.high5ballooning.com/
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Old 07-09-2018, 10:19 AM   #4
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I've never seen a hot air balloon here. I suspect there are not enough open potential landing spaces around here because of all the mountains.

I second the seaplane ride idea. I did it once and they even picked me up at my dock.
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Old 07-09-2018, 10:47 AM   #5
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Some years ago, we saw three balloons drifting south in Gilford, 6:30 am, tracking the lake shore. Presumably they launched at the Laconia airport, and of course, we don't know where they landed. There are plenty of golf courses and school yards around as well as fields, all more visible from the air than what you see looking cross country from the ground.
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Old 07-09-2018, 12:24 PM   #6
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Used to be biplane rides out of Laconia airport. Open cockpit and seated 2. Don’t know if it is still running. Did see biplane & sign advertising rides at Moultonboro apt this AM.


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Old 07-09-2018, 01:21 PM   #7
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Check with FLL...he’s the Lakes Region’s premier source for “hot air”
Don’t know if noodles will fly, however...
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Old 07-09-2018, 07:08 PM   #8
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kjkam--you are Mr Romance! Super idea. I don't think the bi-plane will have quite the same effect, so I'm hoping you'll find the balloon. Good luck!
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Old 07-09-2018, 10:05 PM   #9
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Default Birthday bust

Signed up for the bi-pane ride as a birthday present, paid in advance. When we tried to schedule, "I'm all booked up". Lost $150. Rip off.
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Old 07-10-2018, 07:13 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jazzman View Post
I've never seen a hot air balloon here.
A tethered balloon ride attraction was tried at Weirs Beach in 2006:

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Old 07-10-2018, 12:23 PM   #11
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Default balloon ride

Thanks for the ideas on the plane, but we have done the small plane thing, mostly to transport her for treatments. She has on her bucket list for a hot air balloon ride, will likely take her to the large balloon event, but thought something over the lake where we met would be more meaningful.
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Old 07-10-2018, 04:27 PM   #12
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Default Aug 3-4-5 balloon rally, Pittsfield NH

28.5 miles, 46 minutes drive time from downtown Meredith via NH-106 S and NH-107 S:

www.pittsfieldnh.gov/community/balloon-rally/
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Old 07-10-2018, 06:04 PM   #13
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You may have found this in your search but if not perhaps it could lead to a balloon pilot who would travel to the lake for you.
The Granite State Balloon Assoc.

http://www.hotairballoon.org/nh/
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