Photo Essay: As the sun rises

Silk floats through the early morning fog as teams slip around one another in a careful routine. Delicate cloth unfurls to the beat of an intense flame that heats the cool air. The annual Northwest Art and Air Festival kicks off in Albany Oregon, USA just after sunrise, featuring art, music, and hot air balloon flights.

In Timber Linn Park, just before dawn, hundreds of balloons take off in a syncopated rhythm, filling the sky with floating jewels. Preparation begins well before the sun makes an appearance as large trailers laden with crew and baskets rumble into the park. Teams must stake out a spot and begin the slow and careful process of unwrapping their wares. It takes the entire crew to pulls the heavy balloon from its basket. Once unrolled, members pull apart the cloth allowing a motorized fan to push quantities of cool air into the balloon, known as an envelope. Once the balloon has attained a rough shape, hot air jets in to give the balloon lift.

One pilot directs the balloon in a flight that can only be controlled vertically. The rest is up to the whim of the wind. The only sounds that punctuate the quiet morning air are the sporatic jets of heat that flow into the balloon giving it lift. Liftoff is so gentle, it is barely felt, and the flight itself is unnervingly quiet. Miniature people wave and houses pass slowly beneath in a truly unique perspective of the world. It is the only way to get an untainted view of the ground from above with enough detail to fascinate, unmarred by the noisy engines of traditional flight. It is truly the closest one can get to weightlessness.

Ground teams communicate with pilots via walkie-talkie, tracking the balloon’s course until touchdown, which could be in any number of (hopefully) open fields. The chase is nearly as exciting as the flight itself. There is an undeniable camaraderie in the air as close-knit teams banter and predict the balloon’s landing site. After pinpointing the open field, the pilot makes a slow decent. Even a smooth landing, though, can drag a basket several feet on the ground sending unwitting passengers flying.

After the flights, teams settle down for brunch and champagne, waiting for the remainder of the festivities to catch up. The rest of the festival includes local art ranging from painting to jewelry to glassware. Wine　tasting and musical performances are abundant. The hot air balloons take off each morning, as well as in　a night performance complete with lights and lasers.

Do go in the early morning. Even if you miss a flight, watching balloon after balloon slowly float into the air is truly breathtaking.

Details of the annual festival can be found at: http://www.cityofalbany.net/parks/nwaaf/