“Flying OVER the fall colors in a hot air balloon is
the best,” says Scott Lorenz, President and Chief Pilot of Westwind Balloon
Company of Plymouth, Michigan.
“The palate of colors just takes your breath away," says Lorenz "I
love taking photos from the balloon especially when we fly over Kensington
Park, it’s fabulous, it’s ten times better than driving. People just have no
idea how pretty it is until they get above it."
“Want to get a preview of a flight?” asks Lorenz, “check out a video I put
together of some of our fall color flights. The views are spectacular as we
glide over the tops of the canopy of trees. There’s no better way to enjoy
Michigan’s fall colors than from a hot air balloon.” Check it out at:
http://youtu.be/1R-QsurhW6M
Most hot air balloon rides in Michigan last about one hour and Lorenz flies
over the woods and streams of Kensington Park and Island Lake State Park. He
and several other pilot friends meet at Park 'n Ride area off Milford Road and
I-96 (exit # 155) about 2 1/2 hours before sunset. From there he'll launch
helium balloons, determine the wind direction, then take a short drive to one
of nine launch sites in the area that give the best views and best landing
sites downwind.
What to wear? Lorenz suggests passengers wear tennis shoes and jeans. He says
the air temp “upstairs” is within a couple degrees of ground temp so it’s not a
factor. Cameras and video cameras are highly recommended to preserve the once
in a lifetime moments while flying over the countryside.
Since fall color balloon flights are popular Lorenz suggests people call now to
reserve a spot. Flights cost $695 for a private ride which is two passengers
and the pilot. All flights are pre-paid. Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover and
PayPal are accepted. Gift certificates are available.
To really appreciate all of the fall color that Michigan has to offer, call a
balloonist and schedule a flight today, the view is really better from above!
Westwind Balloon Company - Plymouth, MI, Flying over Kensington Park, Brighton,
South Lyon and Milford. Ph: 734-667-2098 Web:
http://www.westwindcos.com/balloon Scott Lorenz, Pilot and Owner.
About Scott Lorenz:
Scott Lorenz, President of Westwind Balloon Company, has been a commercial
balloon pilot since 1982, and has logged 1,550 + hours as pilot in command in a
hot air balloon. Scott’s memorable ballooning experiences include: Flying over
Niagara Falls, The Great Wall of China, Disney World, the Olympics in Calgary,
St. Wolfgang, Austria, Saga, Japan, the Grand Prix in Spain, co-piloting one of
two balloons for Mike Howard’s Guinness World Record ”balloon walk” flight at
19,000 feet, a 20 hour-361 mile Gas Balloon flight with Gordon Boring and
handling media relations for Kevin Uliassi's Round the World balloon flights.
Lorenz and his balloon exploits have been featured by FOX-2 News, WJR, Hour
Detroit and The Detroit Free Press. A balloon flight on Westwind Co. was named
"most creative date" by It’s Just Lunch. Westwind Balloon Company is
a member of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and the Southeast Michigan Balloon
Federation (SEMBA) and the Balloon Federation of America.
(http://www.PureMichiganBalloon.com) Michigan Fall Color Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BDl12PjPqQ
