Welcome to
Gentle Journeys
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Thank you for clicking by!
There’s nothing quite like it! Floating in a hot air balloon is just that - - a Gentle Journey through the sky.
There’s barely any sense of movement as you float steadily with the wind in a wide-open expansiveness.
Gentle Journeys operates throughout SW Michigan, from Grand Rapids, to Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.
We offer rides for 2, 3 or 4 people, and also offer extra flying capacity to nearby flying partners.
Often referred to as a Bucket List item, balloon flights are an amazing way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, retirements, and even present marriage proposals ;-) Gift Certificates are available! Surprise a family member, friend or other significant other with a Balloon Ride!
This page, and so many others I highly recommend, provide a plethora of information for consideration;
I welcome your review and encourage you to use the Contact Page to schedule or learn even more!
Warm (hot air) regards,
Tomfoolery
How a Hot Air Balloon Works
​Hot air rises. Propane tanks provide fuel to burners used to heat the air contained in the envelope. Add heat and it goes up, let cool off and it goes down. Release some hot air via the parachute valve and it goes down a lot faster!
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Pilot and passengers ride in a durable wicker basket.
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Envelopes are made out of light weight, polyurethane-coated rip-stop nylon used to create the envelope's panels and gores which provide a canvas for color.
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Hot Air Balloons are Federally Registered Aircraft; [lighter-than-air, free-balloon with airborne heater], flown by FAA-certified student, private or commercial pilots.
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How do they steer? They don't! Pilots use the wind conditions' speed and direction to skillfully 'improvise'.
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How high do they fly? Usually between 500 and 1,000 feet, but a mile high and beyond if conditions are right. Watch closely and they may brush through treetops or even dip in a lake in maneuvers called splash & dash.
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Chase Crews follow the flight of their balloons to meet them where they land -- which can be about anywhere!
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Takeoffs are optional, landings are not!
