As the sky grew light, the crew began gathering my balloons together.

 
Greg Winker
Reflected Light Photography
I got into my harness and the crew finished attaching the balloons to me.

Ed Stockard

Ernie ran through my checklist, and we began removing ballast bags, until the balloons began to pull me off my feet.
Greg Winker

 
Ed Stockard

 

It was wonderful to feel the huge, colorful balloons pulling at their strings, ready to carry me off into the air.

I had Ernie release me, and up I went.

 

 
Ed Stockard
 
Neil Rotstan

 
Ernie Hartt

 

 

 

 
Ernie Hartt
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Ernie Hartt

 

 

 

 

 

Continued....