This was an EARLY morning for us! Woke up about 3:30 AM, drove an hour and a half out to Temecula just in time for a sunrise balloon launch out at Lake Skinner. (East of Temecula) Unfortunately, we arrived in a fog bank. They had cancelled the “official” launch from the park because of the weather. As we drove into the park, all the cars and balloon trucks were driving out. We were bummed! All that hard work getting up so early and making that drive was for nothing! Well…that’s what we thought.
Fortunately for us, the hot air balloon guys didn’t want to disappoint the crowds. They decided to fire up their balloons in a vacant field in the middle of wine country about 10 mins away from the Lake. We parked in the field right next to where they started laying them out. The balloons were huge. Tarps were spread out to protect the balloons from sharp rocks. Very large, industrial gas-powered fans started blowing them up. Several times I asked the crew of the Mayflower Hot Air Balloon if we should move our car. They insisted no and continued to blow up their balloon.
As it turned out, we were so glad we didn’t bring our new car. Not only did we do some “dirt road driving,” but as the balloon started to fill with air, it ended up smothering our car. Didn’t do any damage but I think we would have both cried if it were our new black Lexus underneath a large hot air balloon.
It was cool to see how they did all this. We walked right up to each of the balloons as they were filling them up and watched as they lifted off the ground. Off into the fields of grapes and orchards they went.
At this point we were tired and hungry. Met up with Laura’s dad and had some breakfast. Afterwards we decided to hit up a few wineries before heading over to the Balloon and Wine festival at Lake Skinner.
If you’re ever in the Temecula area and you’d like to taste some good wines, make sure you visit; Wilson Creek for their Almond Champagne and Maurice Car’rie Winery for their good wines and fantastic fresh-baked breads.
More recommended wineries in Temecula here.
After a few hours of tasting, we made our way over to The Balloon and Wine Festival over at Lake Skinner East of Temecula. There were thousands of people! Lots of vendors, food, drinks and entertainment. Most impressive, to me anyway, was the World’s Largest BBQ and of course the people watching was a blast.
A few hours were more than plenty for us. Was too warm to drink red wine all day and to be comfortable, you should bring your own chairs and shade!
Best part, and the only reason we’d probably ever go back, was for the Hot Air Balloon Light at sunset. Soon as it started getting dark, all the hot air balloons we saw earlier in the day came back and setup throughout the middle of the festival. Was so cool to see. Again, you could walk right up to them and watch as they filled with air and fire in order to make them vertical. In the main area of the festival next to the stage, they did a balloon light show to the music. They lit up with the music. Very cool!
Check out a few night photos of the hot air balloons here.
Written by: David Pruter
In Categories: California
United States