Apples, Corn and Chili Peppers

After Salt lake City we continued to drive with the morning sun in our faces all the way across Nebraska to Council Bluffs Iowa, which is just across the Missouri River from Omaha. We wanted to visit our kite friends Deb and Marion who live there and to see a neat little balloon event that they told us about. This is just its second year for the event in this venue, a farm that grows apples and corn.

We were concerned that the weather might literally wash out the show because we drove through a horrendous rain storm coming through Nebraska the day before. The first launch schedule for Friday evening was scrubbed because of it but by Saturday evening the sky had cleared and it was beautiful.

About 15 balloons including Mike Sheun'a internationally known La Ristra (Chili Pepper) participated in Saturday's evening launch and after-dark glow and a morning launch on Sunday. The sight of colorful balloons surrounded by corn stalks was a new experience for us.

In addition to the balloons the event featured live music, good food and a farm wagon shuttle to and from the parking area. Aside from being a lot of fun it was for a good cause. Proceeds from ticket sales went to support local food banks.