daddyshack.us - A hot air balloon landed in a parking lot

A hot air balloon landed in a parking lot - so I shot it.

Written by James Grayson

on 12-07-2008

Favoured : 83

Do you ever have those moments when you kick yourself for not having your camera with you? Yesterday was one of those times for me. Luckily I had my cell phone so at least I was able to capture some decent shots (and video) of a hot air balloon that landed in the parking lot at the HEB on Slaughter Lane and Manchaca Road.

I was making a quick run to the store to pick up stuff for dinner when I noticed the balloon descending into what looked like traffic on Slaughter Lane.

As I drove to the other end of the parking lot I realized they were setting it down behind the McDonald's. Tight squeeze but he made it. Apparently he can land that thing in the back of the truck, which was the plan until the truck couldn't get to him because of all the curious onlookers (myself included) headed towards the balloon.

There was a pretty large group of people gathering around at this point, many of them kids. The pilot hopped the balloon away from the trees and asked people if they could move their cars so he could lay it down and let he air out.

Not bad video for a cell phone! The kids and (and a few adults) lent a helping hand deflating and holding the balloon as the pilot bagged it up. It was surely the highlight of their day!

After they were done the pilot and crew got a group shot with all the kids. They each took turns standing in the basket, too.

Phillip Macnutt, the pilot of the balloon, is a member of Central Texas Ballooning Association . Here is an interview I found with him on YouTube that was done by News 8 Austin back in 2003.

He said I should come check them out sometime. I haven't been up in a hot air balloon since I was a kid. It was amazing! I will definitely remember to have a better camera with me in case I wind up in one of those baskets.