Up, up and away and other fears

I went on my first hot air balloon ride four years ago while visiting Sonoma Valley, California.

I was admittedly nervous about it.

The only other time I went ballooning was in the Seattle area for our anniversary. I was relieved when it was canceled due to bad weather.

So how did I fare during my Sonoma balloon debut?

"Are you OK?" asked the Aerostat pilot, Dave Kinsella.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said unconvincingly.

"If you want to change places with somebody, go ahead," he said.

I gingerly switched positions with another one of the 16 balloon riders on board, putting me closer to the pilot and farther away from the outer edge of the mammoth basket we were riding in.

So when I read in today's papers that two people died in a hot air balloon crash, I wondered if that would prevent me from going up, up and away again.

Right now, I'm not sure.

But I hope not.

I still recall the acres of vineyards awash in autumnal colors that spread out below us like a carpet.

Three other balloons dotted the pale blue sky as the cars and houses and people grew smaller below.

It was magical.

A hot air balloon in Sonoma. Sue Frause photo.