Disappointment is a central part of the human condition, a fact I'm reminded of graphically every time I see that giant orange ball floating above Irvine's Great Park. This free tethered balloon ride is the park's big draw, allowing you to marvel at the planned avenues and immaculate houses surrounding its green sward. On a clear day you can contrast it all to the chaos of downtown LA.
Our pattern has been well established now. We turn up at "check in" to find that either balloon bookings are full or the prevailing weather conditions have kept it on the ground. In line with any activities in California that involve leaving your house, you have to sign a waiver giving up all rights to everything, and there was some excitement when, for the first time, we actually made it to this stage. We were then handed a Cheesecake Factory style beeper and told to wait 20 minutes.
After 45 minutes the formidable trio of Hannah, Gen, and Frankie went to find out what was happening. The balloon was going up and down with scant few people inside, and the breeze was getting up. Ten more minutes we were told. After eleven Hannah was on her way to complain again when the beeper went off! She returned grinning with five "boarding passes" and we dashed to the waiting area.
It was here that our expectations began to sink like, well, a leaky balloon. Clouds that had been lurking on the hills began skittering towards us, and a man with a walkie-talkie arrived - never a good sign. Sure enough, tethers were soon being attached to the ground and the whole thing began to resemble a giant satsuma incarcerated against its will (I'm struggling for similes here).
What could we do? Once again we turned our backs on the recreational dirigible and (after a quick stop by the carousel) headed for home. Deflated? Obviously.
Up, up and away.
My balloon! Actually I was holding some chocolate cookies and refusing to give them to her.
Hannah is feeling pumped.
Grounded.
How quickly puffed up elation becomes the shriveled wrinkles of disenchantment.
Still, got to make the best of it.
Hannah and James don't want to miss out.
A happy ending, with smiles all round (and round).
