CHASE
In theater they're called a backstage crew-
Seldom acknowledged for the things they do.
Giving their most, while seldom seen:
An intregral part of the whole routine.
Yet in ballooning when the curtain's drawn,
The crew moves forth and the chase is on.
They help inflate, and send colors outbound;
Their "following" task continues on ground.
Earthbound chase and balloonists in air,
Different perspectives, but same affair.
Painted skies they diligently pursue,
Persistently working towards rendezvous.
This salute's to you , for all you do,
The indispensible balloonist's chase crew.
— John A Geders —
|
The Title-IV Flag of these United States of America is often seen flying on a Lead Chase Crew Vehicle (or trailer) as well as on many a hot-air balloon. |
"INJUNEERS &d MANGMENT" [sic]
for Chasers, Bloonists and Sky-Watchers too
A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts, "Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?"
The man below says, "Yes, you're in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field."
"You must be an engineer", says the balloonist.
"I am", replies the man. "How did you know?"
"Well", says the balloonist, "everything you have told me is technically correct, but it's of no use to anyone."
The man below says, "You must be in management."
"I am", replies the balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well", says the man, "you don't know where you are, or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were before we met, but now it's my fault."
The Balloon Crew's Prayer
The winds have cursed us like a cyclone,
The sun has scorched and parched us.
We have chased our pilot through Mother Earth's maze,
And God has laughed at us.
As we climbed barbed-wire to retrieve our captain,
In a field of thistles and ditches...
...We pray there is a cold beer waiting!
—Anonymous
If you wish to be notified of local Ballooning Events (near Las Cruces and Santa Theresa, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas U.S.A. ), or perhaps ask to volunteer on a future Balloon Chase Crew, please visit the Contact page and drop me an eMail. Simply add "Balloon Crew", "Balloon Events" or something with the word "Balloon" in your eMail's Subject Line, so I'll easily identify it as something other than spam-mail.
