https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=662 en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.7 Sat, 02 May 2026 02:17:03 -0700 120 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=673 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=662 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1332 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1332
A portrait taken by our balloon pilot, Frank.]]> Gallery Administrator photo Thu, 17 Nov 2005 08:50:16 -0800 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1329 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1329
This is an older photo showing the view of the balloons taking off across the canyon from our backyard.]]> Gallery Administrator photo Thu, 17 Nov 2005 09:00:21 -0800 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1326 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1326
We used to think these close fly-bys were a mistake - that the pilot was flying closer than intended. But during our own balloon flight, we learned that these pilots know exactly what they're doing - occasionally there is a mishap, but typically they do this on purpose!]]> Gallery Administrator photo Thu, 17 Nov 2005 09:06:53 -0800 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1323 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1323 ]]> Gallery Administrator photo Thu, 17 Nov 2005 08:54:32 -0800 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1320 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1320
This is another older photo of what it looks like to watch the balloons from our backyard.]]> Gallery Administrator photo Thu, 17 Nov 2005 09:03:34 -0800 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=708 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=708
Our pilot, Frank Reed, used to be a financial investment broker. These pilots are actually licensed by the FAA. They have to complete a certain number of training flight hours and solo flight hours, just like regular aircraft pilots.]]> Gallery Administrator photo Thu, 17 Nov 2005 09:10:56 -0800 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=705 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=705
This view looks south, toward our neighborhood. The 3rd ridge (from foreground to background) is our neighborhood, and the 4th ridge was our launch site (Sorrento Mesa).]]> Gallery Administrator photo Thu, 17 Nov 2005 09:22:34 -0800 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=702 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=702
Looking straight down at a different neighborhood. The basket felt rock-solid in flight, but this view is an unnerving reminder of where we were and what we were doing!]]> Gallery Administrator photo Thu, 17 Nov 2005 09:08:33 -0800 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=699 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=699
Looking back at our street, Glenstone Way. Our house is in the center of the photo. Looking closely, you can see a dumpster in front of our house. We were having some concrete work done this weekend.]]> Gallery Administrator photo Thu, 17 Nov 2005 08:52:39 -0800 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=696 https://www.blacksdesign.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=696
Looking straight down on another balloon flying low over the bottom of Penasquitos Canyon. (Penasquitos Canyon Preserve surrounds our neighborhood.)]]> Gallery Administrator photo Thu, 17 Nov 2005 09:07:54 -0800