Since our move is approaching quickly now, we've made a "Southern California Bucket List" of all the things that we haven't gotten around to doing yet. This weekend we braved the "cold" (50s) weather and went for a ride on this thing:
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| Sorry for the bad quality - it was dark and the prospect of going up in the air didn't help my hands to stop shaking. |
If you think it looks like a giant orange then you're right! It is a giant orange balloon ride which hoovers over Irvine and symbolizes ... that this is Orange County I guess. The balloon ride is part of the
Orange County Great Park, what may some day be a 1,300 acre park in the center of Orange County on what was the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. According to the website the park's master plan "embraces environmental sustainability, preserves Orange County’s agricultural heritage, and honors the military history of the former air base". Someday is will have sports fields, community gardens, an orchard, a lake (for boating and fishing), gardens, art and cultural exhibits, and a "wildlife corridor".
For now the Great Park has ... a balloon ride. Ok, it also has a carousel, a visitor's center, a kid's play area, space for special events, and an art gallery. Best of all, it's all free! Second best of all? The weekly farmer's market (complete with food trucks in true LA style).
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| Justin looking adventurous on a "rock" in the kid's area |
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| It's coming down for us! |
They provided a nice cage to keep us in. And the rules also instructed us not to jump from the balloon. Nice of them to remind me.
So overall it was a fun trip. I can't believe it took us so long to do it! Maybe someday we'll bring our kids to see the completed park (or grandkids?). For now enjoy this picture of me at 400 ft. I don't look to terrified do I? I hide it well (in the dark).
P.S. I forgot to mention that they put a jack-o-lantern face on the balloon each October. It's pretty fabulous :)
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