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After a subway ride, we met three other couples at 7 p.m. in the suburbs of Stockholm. We were the only non-Swedishspeaking couple in the group. Within a few minutes, a van pulling an enclosed trailer pulled up. A black-leatherjacketed driver stepped out and we paid him about $580.
Little did we know that passengers also would serve as crew. From our Arizona experiences, we were used to having a ground crew get the balloon inflated and the gondola upright, help us board, then release the tethers.
At about 8:30 p.m., still daylight in the northern latitudes, we were finally aloft in our beautiful red-and-yellow balloon.
Our adventure was two hours of bliss. The winds were favorable. The gondola was roomy enough that we could get 360-degree camera views during the entire ride. Having a bird’s-eye view was incredible. Following the waterways west out of Stockholm, we passed famous buildings and in-town apartments, working our way into the suburbs with their lawns and leafy trees. A landmark toward the end was Drottningholm Palace, the private residence of the Swedish royal family. We floated over its formal gardens, circular maze and wooded environs.
On the horizon, the fiery sun was about to set. Our pilot began his descent. We landed safely and gently. We packed the balloon and gondola into the trailer and were ready for our celebratory champagne toasts. Our pilot, K.G. Silverstolpe, gave us honorary titles on our balloon certificates. We were the Count and “Countesse” of Drottningholm.
What memories for the first adventure of our retired lives!