tailwinds over frederick

This was an AMAZINGLY fun experience. I can't rave enough about how wonderful it was!This was my second hot air balloon experience - my first was in June in Napa with Napa Valley Aloft, which was also fantastically wonderful. So now I'm hooked on hot air ballooning. By contrast, the friend I was with had never been up in a hot air balloon before, and he was a little scared - he doesn't like heights. However, he confirmed that it was very fun and NOT scary at all, and he wants to go on another ride soon! There is no turbulence in the ride - it's very smooth and gentle - very serene. If you're on the fence about hot air ballooning and think it might be scary, you should definitely just go for it! It is NOT scary and you might end up hooked on hot air ballooning like me and my friend. :)Non-morning-people (like me!) should be aware that hot air ballooning typically takes place in the wee hours of the morning - you show up to your launch site before dawn. However, some sunset launches are also available. I will say, though, that even though getting up that early is brutal, it's totally worth it! Ascending as you watch the sun come up is really a breathtaking experience. (My friend and I were coming from Washington, DC and stayed overnight the night before in the Frederick Residence Inn so we were a little closer.) Also be aware that there's not really anywhere to go to the bathroom, so go before you arrive. Tailwinds is a family-run company and it was fun to meet the whole family as our crew (chase crew, etc.). Everyone was so nice and friendly and was always concerned with our comfort and making sure we were having a good time. The worst part of the experience was not having to get up so early - it was that the flight had to end and we had to come down! :) We did have a nice Champagne toast upon landing, which was great. We would have been happy to stay up all day. I can't wait to go back up again! :)