Subscribe to RSSThe Photo Garden Bee Lifts off in a Hot air balloon over Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.
Lewis Ginter's GardenFest of Lights and Balloon Ride!!!! © Britt Conley
Last night, Steve and I headed down Rt. 95 with great expectations of a wonderful time visiting the GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter. Thanks to Lewis Ginter I had the opportunity to head up in the evening’s hot air balloon to get some shots of the property from the air. They offered rides from 5-7 and it was great! I am desperately afraid of heights, (which is fairly ironic for a Bee), but there you have it. I was so nervous I could barely contain myself. I even had to walk away at one point to try to steady my nerves. We rounded the corner of the grand Conservatory and there was the crew of Balloons Over Virginia, ( www.balloonsovervirginia.com ) filling up the balloon with air.
Firing up the Air! © Steve Conley
Getting the chance to shoot Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens from the air was amazing enough, but doing it days after being laid off from 13 years at USA Today was, well, a great way to take my first solo flight as the full time Photo Garden Bee. Despite being deathly afraid of heights it was liberating and wonderful.
Getting ready to lift off! © Steve Conley
And did The Photo Garden Bee manage to fly?
Things are looking up! © Britt Conley
Tethered but YES! And frankly I loved the training wheels!
The Bee has been launched! © Steve Conley
The views were tremendous and great fun!
The Children's Garden across the lake © Britt Conley
The view into the Conservatory itself was lovely and breath-taking for a first time balloonist!
Indeed, the holidays are here! © Britt Conley
It’s been a truly amazing week for me. An unexpected layoff, a great opportunity and of course just the excitement of working on this site, which I fondly call The Bee. I wanted to give an extra special thanks to Beth Monroe of Lewis Ginter who has been fantastic to work with. I have to say this Garden was the best personal tip so far. I have a full feature on the GardenFest of Lights up today as well! Check the home page for Today’s Featured post!
‘Til Tomorrow!
Britt : )
Related posts:
- This the last night of holiday lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden!
- Part V: The Conservatory at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.
- Part VII: GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens!
- Part IV: The Asian Valley at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
- Part I: Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
2 Comments
2009-12-05
12:13:15
Wow, Britt, way to confront your fears AND do something truly amazing! Awesome job!
Joyce
2009-12-06
15:44:46
You DID it!