“The toughest part of ballooning is the weather.” Those words by “Mom’s Toy” hot-air balloon pilot Deb Griest certainly held true yesterday.
The second day of the Great Balloon Race took place out at Lake Storey and wind speeds once again caused some flight delays. After two cancelled flights Friday and yesterday morning, a number of balloonists were finally able to take to the sky around 6:45 p.m. last night.
Griest and her team traveled from Urbana for the weekend of flying. Though she remained grounded yesterday, Griest tells WGIL she’s been able to see a lot in the basket of her balloon over the years.
“I did my flight training in the San Joaquin Valley in Northern California which was incredible to fly between two mountain ranges and watch the sun come up over the mountains,” Griest says. “I’ve flown in Albuquerque, I’ve flown in Canada, Iowa, Missouri and various parts of Illinois.”
The 19-year veteran pilot also says she’s been coming to fly in Galesburg for more than a decade.
Oddly enough, balloons made international news yesterday. Sixteen people were killed when a balloon caught fire near Austin, Texas.
When asked if accidents ever make her nervous, she says they don’t, because pilots are heavily trained and always practice safety first.
“Accidents do happen,” Griest says. “But, you’re safer in a balloon then you are in your car.”
The park was packed with visitors throughout the afternoon and evening. A number of balloonists finished off the day with a night glow for those in attendance.
