My phone went off with the typical iPhone default ringtone. It’s still dark, but I turn over to see who in the world could be calling me so late — or so early, rather. There was no call; it was my 4:30 a.m. alarm to get up for the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon media flight on May 6.

I walked into the living room to find my dog, Ellie, looking at me with her head cocked. She even knew I wasn’t supposed to be up this early … and I’d be lying if I said the thought of crawling back in to bed didn’t cross my mind. Knowing what the morning ahead of me held, I got dressed, grabbed a bottle of water and my camera and headed to Tanger Outlets.

Tail lights lit up the parking lot, and people were walking over to the Michael Kors outlet to grab their media badges, crew and pilot assignments and most importantly, breakfast and coffee. Walking up to the gathering area I noticed the American flag was flying straight out from the pole. My heart sank; it was too windy. I was prepared to be told to turn around and head back home. I walked up to get my media badge and asked one of the South Baldwin Chamber girls if the flight was still on … and it was.

I was given pilot No. 24, Fred Poole from Meridian, Mississippi. After receiving directions, Fred explained he had one of the biggest balloons at the festival, “Shadow.” Just because the smaller balloons could fly didn’t necessarily mean he could take his larger balloon out. I understood and was just happy I was going to get some photos of balloons in the sky.

I firmly believe if God wants something to happen, it’ll happen. From the nine-mile drive from Tanger Outlets to a private property in Summerdale, the wind disappeared. The land we pulled onto had an American flag in the front yard — it wasn’t moving. All was calm.

Several trucks parked and people got out to look at the sky and observe the surroundings. Some of the pilots blew up a latex balloon and let it fly. Higher and higher it went. The higher the balloon floated, you could see where the wind was going and how the wind picked up the higher the balloon rose. A few other latex balloons took off and then other crews and pilots began unpacking their balloons and baskets. Doors opened and closed and fans began to crank up to fill these balloons up. It was unreal seeing a flat piece of fabric blow up all around you into massive bubbles of color.

After taking photos of the crews preparing the balloons for launch and some balloons taking off, it was my turn. My camera sat across my body and I climbed in the basket … which is so much smaller when you’re in it. There were three of us in the basket, and we took off. We slowly lifted up; the balloons and people below became smaller and smaller. I was taking nonstop video and photos of us taking off. I couldn’t believe it was happening.

I’ve lived in Baldwin County my entire life and it was so cool to see Highway 59 — a road I’ve traveled countless times — from the air. The farms from above were neat to see as well. Over to the west, we could see the bright yellow crop duster. I’ve always seen it from the ground and this time I was above it. One of the crew members in the balloon said to me as I was taking photos, “How cool would it be if you were having coffee one morning and you saw all these hot air balloons?”

I told him I actually didn’t live far from where we were flying, and I’d seen a blue hot air balloon flying a few times around my home. I’ve always loved Baldwin County, but this moment was when I really felt privileged to be in a hot air balloon flying over my home, seeing a crop duster plane fly below. Some people complain about different things going on around them and this flight really made me (and will make anyone else) appreciate what they have, where they live and not to sweat the small stuff.

After flying over several more fields and farms, the wind was picking up and it was time to find a place to land. Fred caught sight of the Foley Municipal Airport and that seemed like the place to land. He can fly airplanes, but he has never landed on a runway in a hot air balloon. He was beside himself!

There was one thing several people told me once I got in the balloon at the beginning of the flight: do not lock your knees. And it was that time to put practice in to place. Fred adjusted the balloon and we landed in the second patch of grass at the airport.

“Brace!” he said, and the three of us bent out knees. The basket hit once, the balloon continued and it dragged the basket along for a little ways (the balloon flap continued to carry with the wind, so it took the basket along). We hit, I think, one more time and the basket started to tip over (I’m on the opposite side of the basket tipping, mind you). I had seen a few other balloon baskets tip over but didn’t think about the passengers and pilots having to crawl out. I was holding on to (at this point) the top of the basket. The other two were laying on the ground in the basket.

I’ve always thought I would never be able to hold my body weight when it came to say, falling off a cliff, hanging on for dear life. No, this wasn’t a cliff or a life-threatening situation, but I wasn’t expecting it. Let me tell you, if you think you can’t hold your body weight, when it comes down to it, you can. Trust me.

Fred turned to look up at me and said, “You don’t have to keep holding on, just drop. It’s OK.”

I laid down in the basket on the ground and crawled my way out. Fred’s wife, Lori, and one of his students, Magen, met us at the airport and it was time to fold the balloon up and pack it away.

Once we got back in the car, Fred mentioned something about a first flyer ceremony that we were going to attend after we refueled with propane.

We drove onto the festival grounds and while Fred and Magen refueled, we headed over with Lori to another balloon pilot and some friends. There was a table set up with several champagne glasses, so I got excited before I even knew about the “ritual.” This is how it goes: the story of ballooning is told, a prayer is said and then a champagne toast is taken. Those that have ridden in a balloon before, toast like normal, but those who have just had their first ride had to take their toast on their knees with their hands behind their back. I thought it was a joke.

There were four of us (two of which became a newly engaged couple in their balloon). When the story was told and the prayer was said, we all bent down to take our toast. I’m embarrassed to say it was difficult for me to bend down with my hands behind my back to grab the cup … so I was the last one to put my head down. Next thing I knew, there was an ice cold liquid running down the back of my neck. Some of the other friends had poured water on us as we were attempting to take our toast!

It was a huge amount of fun and after our little ritual, we all had a real toast to a great day, new friends and ballooning. Did I mention the day before was Fred’s birthday and we got to eat birthday cake? Champagne and birthday cake taste even better before 9 a.m.!

A photographer, Jim Lytle, told me after the flight that he’d known one of the other pilots for over 20 years. He said his favorite part about ballooning was the friendships you make with others who enjoy the same comradery and balloons.

I may be a little biased, but I think I had the best pilot. Fred was friendly, made us feel secure while ballooning and most of all, made sure we had fun. I had my fingers crossed the entire week prior to the media flight and told my mom to ask her Bible study group to pray for no wind on Friday. I was able to experience a once-in-a-lifetime flight and I would recommend it to anyone, anytime. Even if you can only tether at the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, it’s worth it.

No doubt about it; if I could go back, I’d do it again.