Great Texas Balloon Race: Night Glow

by Michael

Today did not go as planned. After getting up way before dawn and driving out to the Gregg County Airport in order to catch the pilot’s accuracy competition, we learned that the event was canceled because of the weather. We were bummed, but these things happen and safety must come first. So we headed back home to make it back for the evening festivities of the balloon glow. Since this was a night event, there aren’t many photos, but here are three to share.

At the end of the Star Spangled Banner, all of the pilots ignited their flames in what is called a candle burn. It was pretty amazing, especially for those of us who weren’t expecting it. I’m glad I thought to pull the camera up and snap a few shot while the flames were still going.

Then, once all of the balloons were inflated, they all ignited again for what is called the “glow”. Again, an amazing sight which a single still doesn’t really do justice.

And that was about it for us. That was what we had come to see. But while we were leaving, a felt a dark presence in that place. A feeling I have not felt since…

This huge balloon of Darth Vader, right next to the one I had shot yesterday of Yoda. They were just hanging out with their heads floating around together like old friends.  🙂

So that’s it for the balloon festival this year. Maybe we’ll have better luck with the weather next year.

All words and photos copyright 2018 MHampton Photography 
Equipment used: Canon 1DX Mark II, Canon 16-35L 4.0

Great Texas Balloon Race: Special Shapes

by Michael

It is that time of year. Once again, the Great Texas Balloon Race comes to the local area! I’ve missed it the last two years but not this year!

I woke up early this morning and headed to Longview to get some shots of the special shape Yoda balloon. Being a long time Star Wars fan (let’s not talk about the latest ones), I looked forward to getting some pictures of the venerable old Jedi Master.

I arrived just in time and the balloon crew arrived soon afterwards. They first stretched the balloon out across the field and all you could see was green material. It didn’t take long using a regular fan to start pumping air into the material and then came the fire!

As the hot air from the fire was pumped into the balloon the material began to lift up and no longer needed to be held up by hands.

Soon, the hot air in the balloon began pulling upward enough that the basket was set upright, almost as if by some hidden “force” was at work.  🙂

Soon, Master Yoda was awake and looking over the crowd of those who came to pay homage.

While I was there, one lucky young man got a quick ride off the ground. I’m not sure if he was happy or scared.

As I left, Yoda looked down and gave me an approving smile. At least I think it was a smile.

Then, just as I thought I was done, I looked up to see that there were many more of the “regular” balloons that were flying over Longview, so I had to make a couple of stops to catch them.

And I wasn’t the only one taking photos of the colorful balloons in the sky.

Tomorrow I’ll be getting up extra early as the balloonists will be competing for their accuracy challenge. Stay tuned for more photos!

All words and photos copyright 2018 MHampton Photography 
Equipment used: Canon 1DX Mark II, Canon 24-70L 2.8

Alaska Cruise 2017: Part Eight – Day at Sea and Final Destination

by Michael

It has finally come–our final day aboard ship. This will be a full day at sea with only minimal view of land. We take this opportunity to sleep in a bit and then get breakfast. When we return we see the last of our towel sculptures for the trip–a heart!  Our cabin stewardess was excellent on this trip. She saw to our every need promptly and completely. I should have gotten her photo, but I didn’t think about it.

Ventures onto the deck provided this scene pretty much the entire day. There would be briefings about debarkation procedures and such to attend, and just general relaxing aboard the ship.

One event that we did attend was an ice carving demonstration. This guy was pretty amazing.

He started with a simple block of ice and just started chipping away.

I know that by this point I would have shattered the entire block into nothingness, but he appears to know what he is doing.

Looks like wings. Maybe an angel or a bird?

Jen, the cruise director, pumps up the crowd as he continues his work. The ice is starting to take shape.

Yep, it is starting to look more like an eagle at this point. Do you see the head and beak in the front?

Now the feathers of the wings are taking shape.

And the final product, done in just 23 minutes. Again, I would have a bag of shaved ice left! Incredible!

Checking the view, pretty much the same as before, lots of water, sky, and clouds. Still gorgeous though.

Land ho! Finally, off in the distance I see my beloved mountains! According to the GPS tag of the photo, we are still far enough north that those are Canadian mountains.

But the sun is setting and its time to make sure everything is packed for debarkation. The night is uneventful and when we wake up in the morning I get my first view of Seattle Washington. Yep, there’s the Space Needle! I’ve always wanted to see that!

And there is Mount Rainier! I’ve always wanted to see that as well!

And here they both are together. This is one of those places that is on our list for a return trip where we can spend time. This is not that trip. Duty calls and we must return to our real lives as ordinary workers in the system.

So, with that, it was time to pack up the cameras and prepare for the customs, TSA adventure. It will be nowhere near as exciting as the last few days, but it must be done. By tonight we’ll be back in our own bed in Overton, Texas. It will be many more days before the swaying sensation goes away but hopefully the memories made on this trip will never recede.

Thank you for coming along with us on our trip. I hope that you enjoyed the stories and photos. Watch this site in the future as many of the photos taken on the trip, some shown here and others not, will be made available for sale. Buy them and help pay for our next adventure. If you do, I’ll be sure to share those memories with you as well!

Thank God for the beautiful places to see!

Until next time…

All words and photos copyright 2017 MHampton Photography
Equipment used: Canon 5DS-R, Canon 7DmII, Canon T6S, and various Canon lenses