The morning air was cool but not cold. The summer heat would come later today, but for now it was just right. Just a touch of dew sparkled on the grassy in the park and there was a slight haze in the air. To the east the rocky crest of the Sandia Mountains was just getting touched by the first rays of sunrise. The sunrays streamed between the peaks like a Japanese fan. The moment was picture perfect. Then sound of the gas engine of the inflation fan broke the peaceful silence of the morning. Silky nylon fabric billowed in the rush of air as the envelope began to fill with air and the balloon came to life. This will be our first balloon ride and hopefully an experience we will cherish for life.
We had booked the flight the day before and Don, the pilot, had told us that we would need to start early because the winds are calmer just after sunrise and the cooler air makes the balloon fly better. We hadn't gotten much sleep at the hotel the night before. In anticipation of our great adventure, we had a long night of lovemaking. So, bleary-eyed and still a little fuzzy in the head, we headed out in the dark morning to have our first hot air balloon ride. A friend of ours had recommended Don when she heard we wanted to take a balloon ride during our stay in Albuquerque. We knew that Albuquerque, New Mexico was the 'Ballooning Capital of the World' and we just couldn't pass up an opportunity to fly there. Our friend and her husband had flown with Don before so they knew he was a really fun person and, most importantly, a safe and experienced pilot. They also told us that for 'special friends' he would offer an extra bit of excitement. If we wanted to, we could join the 'Mile High Club' during the flight. Margie and I didn't even have to think about it. Yeah ... Let's do it!
We immediately contacted Don and made the arrangements for our flight. We met Don and the chase crew at a park in the west side of town and he gave us a safety briefing telling us what to expect, what to do and what not to do or touch. Ballooning is a very safe form of flying but it does have its dangers and risks. Don made sure we were informed of those and fully understood how to stay safe. He blended serious instructions with corny jokes and his style really put us at ease about the flight. The sly grin on his face told us that he was looking forward to our extra special adventure.
The crew was well experienced and everyone jumped right in. Everything was unloaded from the trailer and laid out on the grass. The basket was quickly hooked to the envelope's cables and the burners were attached to the frame above the basket. I was assigned the job of helping to hold the throat of the balloon open so the air from the big gas engine fan could fill the balloon. Another crew member was assigned to hold the other side of the throat open. Don told Margie to just walk around and take pictures while he did, "all my important pilot stuff". The fan was started and the envelope began to fill with air. It seemed like just a few minutes until the balloon was fully inflated but still lying horizontal on the ground. Don then gave me some final instructions on how to hold the suspension cables and fabric out of the way and where to stand and then he lit the burners. At first, it was just a small pilot light, then after assuring the other crewman and I were clear ........ WHOOOOOOOSHH!! Don pulled a lever and a huge tongue of flame shot into the envelope. The blast of heat hit me and I had to turn my face away. Don hit the burners several more times and the envelope started to lift off the ground. He told us to let go of the cables and I stood back. A crewmember turned the fan off and pulled it out of the way. It was marvelous watching this huge thing rise up. After a few more blasts of the burner, the balloon was standing straight up. It was over 70 feet tall and 55 feet in diameter. Don told us it holds 90,000 cubic feet of air. Don said, "Ballooning is like group sex. We can't get it up without a little help from our friends". There was that grin again.
After some 'housekeeping', as he put it, he plugged in the flight instruments, checked the radio and tucked loose items away and we were told to hop in the basket. There was a foothole step in the side of the wicker basket and we grabbed the metal uprights. Don said that there was no graceful way of getting in and we didn't prove him wrong. He got us situated in the basket and briefed on where to hold on and what not to touch. He also told us how to stand during take-offs and landings. Most importantly, he told us not to fall out .... well, Duh! But he explained that the landing may be kind of hard and the basket may tip over. So we had to make sure we stayed in the basket and not get tossed out. I put that bit of advice firmly in my mind for future reference! Then we were ready to go. Although we were told to hold on to the rope handles with both hands, Margie had one arm wrapped around my waist in death grip. With a few more long blasts of the burner and shouted commands to the crew to 'weigh off', we slowly left the ground.
We didn't know what to expect but I could not have imagined how smooth the take off was. It didn't even feel like we were going up. It seemed that the ground was just dropping away below us. Don continued to hit the burner and we rose up pretty rapidly. The burner is so powerful that it does not have to left on continuously. Just short blasts between longer periods of quiet. In fact, most of the time it was eerily quiet. You could hear birds singing, people talking and dogs barking on the ground. It was amazing. We had been told that once we were in the air, the basket would be very stable and we could let go of the handholds if we wanted to. So, after a bit, I wrapped my arms around Margie and hugged her tight. I looked up and the colors of the balloon's envelope were awesome. The low sunrays shining through the side made the fabric glow like a stained glass window. This was better than I could ever have dreamed.
Then I remembered the other part of our flight. I looked at Don and, grinning of course, he gave me a wink. Guessing what was on my mind he told us, "Well ... we are about 2000 feet above the ground and still rising." He gave the burner another long blast. "No one can see what we're doing, so if you guys what to have some extra fun you can start anytime."
Still holding Margie tight, we kissed lightly. Then again, long and deep. Don had moved into a corner and was concentrating on the balloon ... or least that's what he appeared to be doing. While we kissed, my hands found their way to Margie's breasts. She was wearing a t-shirt, khaki shorts, panties, bra and sneakers. I could feel her nipples stiffen under the fabric. I also had on shorts, t-shirt, briefs and sneakers. Margie still seemed a little nervous and her nails were digging into my back.
We continued to kiss and fondle and Don announced "We are passing 3000 feet up". We broke our kiss and looked around. "Oh my God!" We exclaimed in unison.
What a view! We were high above the Rio Grande valley over the outskirts of Albuquerque. Now that we were above the haze, the mountains were so clear they seemed to be right next to us even though they were actually many miles away. I stole a look at Don and he still had that sly grin on his face. He was really enjoying his job. As he hit the burners again, Margie and I kissed again. This time, she let go of her death grip on me and moved a hand around to my cock. Needless to say, I was already hard and my shorts were bulging. I had been rubbing it against her for a while now and I´m glad she finally got the hint. She stroked my cock through my shorts and then worked it until it was poking out the leg hole. She squeezed it tight and a moan escaped my lips. I'm sure it was loud enough for Don to hear. He was still grinning. I ran my hands up both sides of Margie's body under her shirt and squeezed her breasts. Both nipples where stiff and erect as I pinched them through her silky bra. I don´t know if it was because of the cool air or the excitement of the balloon ride, but I didn´t care at this point. I was just happy to feel those big hard nipples. It was her turn to moan.
