the magic balloon
While everyone was out for spring break, some friends and I took a field trip up to what I call the "Magic Balloon". Built on the old El Toro marine air field, the Great Park will someday "include a 2.5 mile canyon and lake, miles of walking and biking trails, a cultural terrace, Orange County's largest sports park, and a botanical garden." But for now, they've got a big orange balloon. And you can ride it.. free of charge.
The balloon goes up to 400 feet, any higher and it would cause some problems for the nearby John Wayne airport. 400 feet doesn't sound that high, but when you look down and see that the only thing holding you to the ground is a tiny cable, it sure seems high.
I'm not sure who the designer is behind the Great Park, but they've done a wonderful job. Everything has been so cleary considered, from the graphic design to the landscape architecture to the little details like these huge offset arrows on the landing strip. Orange and white have never looked better.
I love these patches of orange and white checkerboards in the parking lot.
And they've kept some of the old markings from the old Marine air station runways. Viewed from the balloon, they are big and bold and just beautiful. I love the huge graphic circles they designed around the landing site.
The kids thought it was great. Bee was literally jumping up and down most of the time we were up. C was a little concerned, but warmed up once we started playing a little game of "I SPY".. I spy a little blue car.. I spy a patch of red flowers, etc.
We recently read James and the Giant Peach and while we were up in the balloon, being blown around by the wind, I thought of James and his crew teathered to a flock of seagulls flying around in a giant peach. Not such a bad way to travel.
04.21.2009
Reader Comments (20)
This looks like a whole lot of fun!!! TFS
It's free??? Wow, we'll have to check that out. My girls always call out when they spot the big orange balloon.
L o v e you photos!
we are not far from there but i am not sure i have the stomach for the magic balloon. maybe next year when our boys are a bit older. and i am a bit bolder.
We love your blog, and admire your style! Hello from busy-bees www.pickles.no
This is so awesome...
Well, as a landscape architect, I just had to find out who is doing all this wonderful work. Here he is: http://www.ocgp.org/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=47
Gotta love the glasses...
And we will ride that balloon some day. What a hoot!
That is so neat! James and the Giant Peach is exactly what I think of....
Awesome, Brooke!!!
I recently realized that I am scared to death of heights. I didn't used to be, I mean, I tandem skydived for goodness gracious! I would probably not get on a balloon like that but I certainly love the photos! That is pretty cool that it is a free ride! What an experience!
These are amazing photos. It looks like so much fun!
óptimas fotografias! (great photos!)
so very wizard of oz....
gorgeous pictures.
Fun! I want to go there :)
That looks fantastic and the last photo certainly is very James and the Giant Peach-esque! What fun.
We will have to check this out the next time we're down there!
This sounds fun, I must add it to my ever-expanding list of things to visit if I am ever out your way.
You've motivated me to get off my butt and drive 10 minutes for a free and beautiful balloon ride. Thanks!
brooke, these images have been in my head for the last week. so beautiful...
and 400 feet sounds crazy high when you're out in the open like that! the wonder wheel is only 150ft and i was pretty nervous up there with the littles...
I want to go! Take me!
So THAT'S what that thing is!! We always drive by it (we live in Redlands) and just call it the peach. Thanks, we will have to check this out.