balloons'll be glowing...

how do you begin to describe the bewitching simplicity of light and air and color? despite the oppressive heat that has settled on and around east texas, my family packed into our car yesterday afternoon and headed over to longview for the great texas balloon race. ever since we moved to the area six years ago, i've seen images on the local news of these great blobs of hot air bobbing about in the clear blue sky or glowing like a series of giant night lights in the dark. i've wanted to go for some time, but this year - being back at home for summer for the first time since i left for college - we actually went.

after a bit of an adventure getting to the grounds, sorting out the lay of the land, and grabbing a mint limeade, we settled on a bit of grass not too far from where the trucks and gondolas were assembled. country western music wafted through the late summer heat, and i enjoyed some top notch people-watching before the first sign of movement drew our attention to the field. directly in front of us, a balloon crew began to spread out a giant mass of fabric. it looked as though several pots of bright paint had been dumped on the dry, browning grass.

before we knew it, one and then two balloons slowly filled with air, the sound of their burners overtaking the twangy guitar. if i could put into words how absolutely breathtaking it was to watch this billowing mass of colored silk not only take shape against the setting sun but then rise into the sky, drifting away on an unseen wind. so utterly simple and yet so utterly full of mystery.

but as the sun began to set, any sense of exhileration from the previous display was overwhelmed by the unimaginable. as night fell, and darkness took over, countless balloons, in huge long rows, began to fill. the orbs of color, beautiful enough in the daylight, were unsurpassingly magical at night. i've included a picture, taken by someone else, because there are absolutely no way of describing it all.


walking amidst them, as they twinkled on and off, i was overtaken by an indescribable feeling. the closest thing i can tie it to is bliss. absolute utter peace borne out of true pleasure and all-encompassing awe. i felt like a child again, caught up in the wonder of the unimaginable made real right before my eyes.

lord knows where i will be this time next year, but i'm crossing my fingers to make my way back to the east texas regional airport and the balloons that have stolen my heart and imagination.