Dozens of hot air balloons took off from the shores of Lake Travis and floated above the Hill Country Saturday morning.
The Lake Travis Flight is an annual event by the Central Texas Ballooning Association. Hot air balloon pilots spend years honing the skill and precision necessary for maneuvering their aircrafts. They look forward to this particular flight for the rare opportunity to splash and dash.
"Splash and dash is actually where the pilots are able to maneuver the balloon down over the water just over the right altitude where the bottom of the basket will touch the surface of the water, and then they fire the burner and up the balloon goes again," hot air balloon pilot Gary Sertich said.
Liftoff requires much manipulation. Several crew members position the balloon, making it ready for takeoff. While they ready the balloon, the pilot triggers the propane tanks, shooting it through the center.
When the temperature inside the balloon rises above the outside temperature, it lifts off the ground, taking the wicker basket with it, and almost all balloonists agree it's worth the effort.
"Everybody really enjoys getting up early in the morning whether you're a pilot flying or a crew who's chasing. Afterwards there's always the camaraderie. There's the teamwork of getting the balloon up, having a successful flight," Sertich said.
"I love the people. The people and nature if I were to say the two things that are best about ballooning. I like seeing nature this morning over the lake with the boats. Then, the people that you meet are just great," another hot air balloon pilot Chery White said.
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Lake Travis Flight
The Central Texas Ballooning Association held its annual event on Saturday morning.
 
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While their motivation for ballooning has personal roots, they all share a unique fascination with the sport. It's the unpredictability that keeps one balloonist coming back for more.
"It's an adventure sport. Every flight's different. It's never the same. You're never totally sure where you're going to land," hot air balloon pilot Fred Miston said.
Hot air ballooning was first launched by Pilatre De Rozier, a scientist in 1783. The passengers were a sheep, a duck and a rooster. The balloon stayed in the air for a grand total of 15 minutes before crashing back to the ground.
