Number 18

{photo: via}

It was kind of off-handed and all that I added Number 18 to my Life List.  Ride in a helicopter or a hot air balloon. As if they’re even remotely close to being the same thing.  I mean, sure they both go up in the air, but one’s you know – copter-like with engines and machines and spinny things and the other?  Just one giant sheet filled with air attached to a basket.

Somehow I equated the two and number 18 happened.

I’ve never really made an effort to accomplish this one – it’s long been one of those “I’ll get to it one day” after the homemade granola (done!) and the Pacific Ocean thing (also done – you can see that here).  Except life slash The Universe slash the Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority had another idea and decided to email me one day all “you! plus Reno! plus hot air balloons! plus food! and wine! and more surprises!” and I was all “Whaaaaaa?!” and they were all “sshhshhp! come on over!” so then I said yes.

Because that’s what you say when they say all of the things about the balloons and the wine and the food and the wine.

And suddently the RSCVA was hosting me (and Boyfriend!) in Reno for a weekend of hot air balloon rides, foodie adventures, and sight-seeing.  We’ll be there during the Great Reno Balloon Race, and I’m honored to get to scope out the scene and surrounding areas by x number of feet high (how high do those things fly anyway?) in the name of we’re-honored-to-be-media and other such things.

I don’t have all of the details yet, but Boyfriend and I are making A Trip out of it.  Road trip from Boulder through Salt Lake City, into Reno, around Reno, and then back a different way.  16-ish hours each way, Mini Cooper on the open road, camera in hand (or around my neck like a good tourist oughtta do it), and cooler packed full of Capri Suns and Coke in a bottle.

I don’t know why I said Capri Suns.  They just seemed portable and road-trip appropriate.

Road trip?  Balloon race?  Sight-seeing in a new city?  Food and wine?  YES, please and thank you.  Stay tuned here and on the food/travel blog – this is an adventure I can’t WAIT to share more of.

*Disclosure: the RSCVA invited us both to come out and participate.  Neither of us are receiving compensation for participating and attending and we’re under no obligation to write, but you know that’s how we do. They’re kind enough to cover our food, lodging, and adventure experiences.  We’re covering the road trip out there and back ourselves.

Tagged as: great reno balloon race, hot air balloon, nevada, reno, tahoe