"2"^^ . "1"^^ . "2017-11-14T00:00:00"^^ . "4"^^ . . "3"^^ . . . "I wanted to do more than gamble and go to night clubs in Las Vegas so I did a quick internet search and came across Las Vegas Balloon Rides. A bit more digging led me to a Groupon for 2 people on a sunrise tour for almost half the price!\n\nI called in the night before our scheduled flight and the recording lists all the hotel pickups for the next morning and what time they'll pick you up. You check in at their meet up office, sign your waivers, grab some snacks (which are free), use the bathroom, and head to your designated van with your pilot!\n\nOur pilot, Gary, is very experienced, funny, and knowledgeable. He's not one of those guides who talks your ear off but will definitely answer any questions/concerns you have and will give you the necessary and interesting facts. I like that he doesn't overly talk because it gives you a chance to enjoy the ride and take in the views.\n\nWe felt very safe in the balloon basket. As we ascended, we grazed another balloon -- just barely. Thank goodness, this is common and not alarming. As Gary said, \"we're at the full mercy of the wind.\" Meaning, your ride can be anywhere from 15min to 1.5hrs depending on the winds that morning. The wind was coming and going the morning we went up. We were so low that I thought we would land on one of the houses below then, all of a sudden, the winds picked up and we hopped over a hill and were cruising for a good hour or so. It really is amazing to be up so high and having to trust mother nature -- and your pilot.\n\nWe volunteered to help blow up the balloon. Meaning, two people hold the balloon's mouth open as a fan blows in air. The take down of the balloon was a little harder because we landed in the desert that had bushes that could potentially damage the balloon. This time, we all chipped in to help. (It was faster this way) We needed to fold the sides of the balloon as we tried our best to push the air out. We stuffed the balloon into a bag that seemed way too small for the balloon but, to my surprise, it did fit!\n\nWhen we got the equipment squared away, Gary recited the Balloonist prayer and we had a nice toast of champagne and orange juice to celebrate a beautiful morning.\n\nI'm all about experiencing new things and not many can say the rode in a hot air balloon! This was a magnificent experience -- bravo to the staff for making my bucket list dreams come true!"^^ .