A tale of a pilot who lost his hat

click any of the photos for a better view

Once upon a Saturday morning flight during the 2012 Michigan Challenge Balloonfest, a pilot lost his hat from 3,000 feet (maybe more), and his clever quick-thinking copilot took a picture of its descent with the hope that the photo would help lead them to the hat's temporary resting place. 

They say it took about five minutes for that hat to float to the ground. The chase crew wouldn't know, they were enjoying hot coffee while visiting at the gas station and watching balloons go overhead, not at all concerned with the radio. They had cell phones, after all, and they could see their balloon right there. Hat? What hat? 

Two hours later, the flight ended, the balloon packed up and the crew gathered together - they found the area where the hat was suspected to have fallen.  They looked up, they looked down, they looked through the high grass, they braved the poison ivy. According to the time stamps on the crew's own personal photographer's camera (that'd be me), the searching went on for over a half hour. 

And then came the whistle that declared the hat had been found, followed by shouts of, Photographer!! Bring your Camera! 

Heh. 

I think we need to back up a little bit so you readers can get a better visual of where that hat landed. 

I repeat: heh. 

The dedicated crew immediately began brainstorming how they might be able to get that hat down. 

There were phone calls made for possible deliveries of potato guns. 

There was a search of the balloon trailer for possible McGyver type items. 

There was the tying of McGyver type items together. 

There was joking and teasing support

There was attempted throwing of ropes and objects. 

There were second and third and fourth attempts.

 

There was tree hugging.

There was wishing for tree climbing cleats. 

There was a landowner who came out and a little hopeful discussion that maybe he could use more firewood, but if you scroll back up to the second photo, you'll see that he really meant it when he said he had more than enough firewood. 

There was a landowner who didn't yet know the determination of the pilot who shall remain nameless's crew. 

There was a rope, and teamwork - five on the ropes, one chanting 1....1....1, 2....2.....2, 3....3....3 

There was a shaking tree. 

There was cheering

And best of all, there was a very happy pilot. 

AND, they made it to the ballooners breakfast before all the bisquits and gravy were gone! 

They're just that good. 

 

Comments

[Angie]

Yay!! :)

[Mom]

It amazes me that they actually found the darn hat. Great story!

[Gayle]

Now that is a good, fun balloon story! Thanks for the morning smiles

[Stacy]

Reminds me of last summer when my hubby lost his favorite hat on a roller coaster at Michigans Adventure - only we knew exactly where it was and they wouldn't let us near it. Many phone calls later and about 6 weeks pass...it arrived in our mailbox! :) Men and their hats, go figure!

[Amanda J.]

That was an awesome story! I loved the pictures and the commentary. I'm still smiling :).
AJ

[JP]

Absolutely hilarious! Love the first hat pic closer up followed by the entire tree perspective, "good luck with that," I thought. Can not believe they got it!

[Rene W]

Fabulous storytelling, Torm. You had me on the edge of my seat. And I love knowing the behind the scenes info.

[Rachel Cleer]

That is one great story! Thanks for sharing, so sorry I wasn't there to experience it in person. :)

[Denny's Angel #1]

A great story and I experienced it first hand! Thanks to our great crew photographer, we have the memory of a fun filled morning of Ballooning at Balloonfest! Signed "Denny's Angel #1" :)