Jordan Rasmussen
Published: May 19, 2009
GALENA, IL - Galena on the Fly is in their 9th season with Eagle ridge resort and spa. The hot air balloon launching site has lift off twice a day, sunrise and sunset. You can book your flight with pilot Andy Williams. Williams learned to fly with his Dad at a pretty young age and now has flown for 15 years. Williams is also an ordained minister and when he is in the sky, he has even performed weddings. Williams loves what he does and there is no place but the sky that he would rather be. Williams said, “I just love all of it, the people, the flying, the challenge that is in that, the weather, just all aspects of it, there’s no better way to make a living.”
Williams will go up on clear days; if there are 10mph winds then the flight is canceled and rebooked. The season started on Good Friday and will end in November. People from all over come to fly, four people from Chicago wanted to celebrate their birthdays and have a gift to remember. Rosemarie Orbell shares the same birthday with her grandson, and for Orbell she was a first time flier. Orbell says, “No I have never done this before but I have parasailed so I figured I would try this.”
For couples Dean and Mary who also had birthdays to celebrate they were excited to take flight and Dean couldn’t of been more pleased,” Well it is just a good time to get away, good weather, and Well we have never done this before so she brought me this ride for my birthday!”
The hot air balloon takes 10 minutes to be blown up with air. Williams offers a five-person basket or a basket that can fit 14. Once the balloon is up right the fliers step on in and with a couple pulls of flame the balloon lifts off. The rides last 45 minutes, and once the basket lands Williams wants to celebrate.
As a tradition, Williams pours champagne and gives a toast and tells stories of past flights. The sun goes down and the couples leave with a trip of their lifetime.
The balloon rides can be booked with Andy Williams at his local number (815) 777-2747 or visit the Galena on the Fly website at www.buyaballroonride.com . If you are around the tri-states for the summer don’t miss the Great Galena Balloon Race in July, all proceeds go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Jordan can be contacted at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu
