The purpose of our trip to Lake Havasu was not to visit the famous London Bridge (although that’s a draw), but rather to attend the 11th Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair. We’d met balloon pilot, Jeff, at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta last October and had stayed in touch. When we found out he was participating in the Havasu Balloon Festival, we asked if he needed ground/chase crew. We were novices, of course, but willing to learn and work hard. He said ‘Sure’… and here we were. There’s something about hot air ballooning that just grabs you and begs you for more.