Up, Up & Away

Story by Elaine Lang | Photo by John Groo

The desire to take to the sky is as ancient as dreams themselves. Earthbound humans have longed to see the world from above, to move like the birds through the open heavens – but, even in this age of jets and skyscrapers, very few of us ever really get to feel the peaceful power of natural flight. Local sign maker and artist Randy Riley is the rare individual who has managed to capture that feeling, with the help of his distinctive and beautiful Red Rose hot air balloon. Seasons caught up with Riley a few thousand feet above Canton, Avon and Simsbury.

Q. How long have you lived in the area?
A. I’ve lived here pretty much my whole life. I graduated from Simsbury High School in 1971, and after some time in the service, I took some classes at the University of Hartford. I’ve been a sign maker and graphic artist for thirty years now, making high-end custom signs and photographic prints of local landmarks. I recently launched Riley Studio, where I’ll focus more on an innovative approach to bas relief art while I continue with Red Rose Balloon Rides.

Q. How did you get interested in ballooning?
A. I wanted to be a pilot, even as a child. The fact that I wear glasses and am prone to motion sickness pretty much ruled out flying in the military, so I ended up serving in the Navy as an operations specialist. I never stopped loving those aerial views, though, and started climbing into all kinds of precarious high places in order to capture panoramic photographs of the scenery. When I finally took my first balloon ride in 1987, I was immediately struck by how gentle the flight was. It was so gratifying to find this wonderful way to experience flight without the roughness or noise of a small aircraft. After that first flight, I started doing some crew work for various balloon pilots who encouraged me to pursue the sport and get my own pilot’s license. I piloted my first flight in 1990, and just kept getting more and more involved. I’m still known to perch on rooftop ledges and climb tall trees, but there really is no experience that compares to being up in a balloon.

Q. How did Red Rose get its name?
A. On August 27, 2006, at Norton Park in Plainville, Conn., I flew my very own brand new balloon made in the image of the one I had been flying for years, “Red-Red.” It is a 77,000-cubic-foot balloon that is a vivid red with a black zigzag design and a small three-person basket.

We had an easy flight that morning, and, after about half an hour, I decided to take my first landing opportunity in case the rain that had been predicted started to fall. As we approached our landing I noticed a woman walking nearby who came over as we touched down. She was thrilled to see a balloon land close up and stayed to participate in the traditional post-flight ceremonies. Her name was Rose, and we ended up naming the balloon “Red Rose” in her honor.

Q. What is it like up there?
A. You can’t fully describe the experience. It’s quiet and still, and a very gentle ride. I am very conservative about the weather when I fly and always insist upon still and clear conditions. One of the great things about the balloon is that our altitude is very controllable by the pilot, and it’s relatively easy to swoop down and skim the surface of a pond, for example, and then shoot back up above the tree line when the breeze takes us toward the shore. It allows for a lot more of an interactive experience with the scenery than any other kind of locomotion.

The hot air balloon was invented in France, and many of our customs and traditions still have an element of Continental flair. The average farmer of the late 1700’s was terrified of these giant smoky beasts that seemed to just fall from the sky, so early balloonists always took along a bottle of champagne to prove that they were friendly. This tradition is still a popular one, and at Red Rose we always conclude our ballooning experience with a champagne toast and a red rose for the ladies, in honor of our first guest.

Q. What are the best aspects of ballooning for you?
A. I’ve participated in various festivals and competitive events, and it’s always a lot of fun to spend time with other balloonists. For me, the best part of the experience is the scenery. I haven’t the time or concentration to photograph the views when I’m piloting myself, but many of my passengers have gotten some great shots from my balloon. And, of course, even when there is no photographic record, I get to enjoy the vistas on each and every flight I take. No two are exactly the same, but every one is breathtaking.

The commercial side of ballooning has its own challenges and rewards. The only way to make this into a truly profitable business venture is to invest in a large scale balloon with a mammoth basket that can hold many passengers. My balloon is much smaller, and the basket only holds two people and myself. I prefer it this way because the experience is much more intimate and personal. I have been lucky enough to share the ballooning experience with so many different people in so many different situations, from terminally ill individuals achieving a long-desired entry on their life list, to surprise marriage proposals, to local naturalists and artists who share my enthusiasm for the view. A balloon ride can be such a profound and magical experience, and it is an added benefit of the sport that I get to share these moments with my passengers.

Q. When is the best time for a balloon ride in Southern New England?
A. Autumn is, of course, popular, with our gorgeous foliage. Spring and summer are also lovely, as long as the weather cooperates. Some times of year are more prone to windy or stormy conditions than others, which can make scheduling the flight a bit problematic. I think that winter is actually the best-kept secret for ballooning. The scenery is gorgeous, and more wildlife is visible due to the lack of foliage. The cold still air makes for easy flying, too. I have a friend who took a winter night flight with the full moon reflecting off the snow. I haven’t tried that yet myself, but I think it would be absolutely amazing.

Reporter’s note: Our own balloon ride was just as gentle, beautiful and magical as promised. Buildings and roads shrunk to dollhouse-size scale, and streams and rivers shone like ribbons in the sunset as the Sleeping Giant loomed in the distance. The downtown Hartford skyline was visible to the east, the windows of tall office buildings shining the light of a glowing sunset back at us. The air was still and our flight was silent, more akin to floating like a soap bubble than speeding like an airplane. Indeed, our journey was so quiet that we could, without effort, chat with several children who called up to us from backyard leaf piles. And, as with Riley’s first flight so many years ago, our landing along a riverside trail on the Simsbury/Avon border attracted interested onlookers out for a quiet stroll. Although these spectators were charmed rather than frightened, Riley still supplied a bottle of chilled champagne and elegant nibbles for his passengers and ground crew. As we were presented with his trademark red rosebud, we lifted our glasses and toasted our flight with the traditional Balloonist’s Prayer.

Elaine Lang is a freelance writer living in Simsbury. She is among the many Farmington Valley natives who moved away after college, only to return years later, with husband and children in tow.