One Simple Joy of Living in Phoenix

There are many simple things about living in the Valley of the Sun that can bring a quick smile to your face. This morning driving to work I witnessed one of those simple things - watching a couple hot air balloons rise and fall around the mountains to the north.

Once of the things I've noticed since we moved her 6 years ago is that when you start seeing the balloons in the morning Spring has sprung and Summer is close on her heels. How could one possibly be in a less than good mood watching the balloons float along? It doesn't matter how grumpy you are, it is going to bring a smile to your face and improve your mood.

My first experience with the hot air balloons was just after we first moved here and were living in the far west valley. We were on our way home from somewhere when we notice a balloon bearing the name of a well known fast food chain coming very close to the ground. Only a few blocks from home and finding this quite interesting, we followed it. We watched as the ground crew tried to guide the balloon down into a vacant field without success. The pilot only has so much control over the balloon, sometimes wind and other factors also exert their force. So, the ground crew chases the balloon until it is able to touch down, in this particular case, in a wash behind the subdivision where we lived.

Over the years, I've see a few balloons in real life, one that sticks out in my mind is the Energizer Bunny. Never have I seen so many so consistently as I have here. It's like a little drop of "feel good" medicine. Too bad we can't bottle it.