Balloon Release

Balloon Release Bouquets 81, 82, 83 and 84.

2009-02-17T13:26:00.006-06:00

Trixi released balloons number 81. This might be a good sign as almost all of the found balloons were released by dogs and dolls!

As you can see, releasing balloons turns my dog's eyes into glowing green embers like a hound from Hell! This release was done on the night of February 12, 2009 from Atascocita, TX.

Release number 82 was let go the next morning, February 13, 2009. It was a bright and beautiful blue sky kind of day as the bouquet floated away to the north.

Apparently there was some confusion at Balloon Release World Headquarters. Some of the numbers got mixed up. This is release number 83 which floated away on the morning of February 14, 2009.

And there it goes. Carefully not that this is release number 83.

Now look closely at that evening's Valentine's Day Balloon Release. Number 83! No fear, the appropriate party was found and executed. We will log this as release number 84 in the sidebar. If it is found I hope they mention the pink and red balloons, but both were released the same day from Atascocita, TX. This isn't brain surgery anyway!
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Balloon Release 80 Let Go By Bart Simpson Found In Beckville, Texas! 160 Miles!

2009-02-15T16:10:00.004-06:00

Once again people released balloons taook the back seat. So far balloons released by Trixi my dog, Napoleon Dynamite, and Lexi who is a teenager therefore not really a person have been found. Now Bart Simpson's has been found!

The balloon was releaed on February 8 from the parking lot of our apartments here in Atascocita, Texas. These releases lifted slow, barely clearing the building, headed north. Dropping out of the sky they were found in north Texas by Gene Williams. Here is the e-mail his wife sent me...

My husband found the balloons! It was in our back 40! lol! Back of the acreage.. no houses around lol!

His name is Gene and I'm Dee Williams

He found it about 10:00 am on 2/11/09...from Alan Mizell

Don't know the secret message tho!

We live in Beckville, Texas.. about 15 miles SOUTH of Marshall TX down 43 towards Tatum/HendersonBeckville on FM 959 between Hwy 43 & FM 1794 is where it was found!

Hope you hear from others you sent

Hugs
Dee Williams

Here is a map showing the location found and air distance traveled. At 160 miles it is far from our record distance but a lot of fun. Thanks so much for letting us know Dee, and hugs right back at you!

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Bart Simpson Releases Balloon Bouquets 79 And 80!

2009-02-09T07:20:00.008-06:00

Bart Simpson stopped in Sunday morning, February 8, 2009 and released two more balloons. Here he is letting bouquet number 79 go in the parking lot in Atascocita, Texas at about 10 AM.

These balloon bouquets are bigger than Bart and almost pull him away when the wind blows.

The bunch of balloons strangely went directly for the buildings without rising. The currents of air pulled them over the building and then lower again. It's been that kind of weekend with strong winds and currents in the air.

Release 80 went up a little quicker but not fast and amazingly slithered through the grabby branches of a HUGE oak tree.

I watched them sail into the distance, headed north on that strange current, maybe all the way to Canada. In the distance they were still low and going up AND down. Strange bu I have a feeling they will go far.

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Powerful North Blowing Winds Grab Balloon Release Numbers 75, 76, 77, And 78.

2009-02-06T21:51:00.003-06:00

Here's a unique view of the four bouquets just before release, from the ground looking straight up at them. I was watching the weather news earlier today and they showed a POWERFUL wind streaming up out of the Gulf of Mexico and pushing northward all the way from Texas deep into Canada! Very exciting as all four of our finds have occurred east of Texas, and sometimes I wonder if they fall victim to the sea. If these do indeed head north they could be found in north Texas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, even Canada!

It was a beautiful night for a release this February 6, 2009 at about 9 PM, cool but not cold, with half a moon illuminating the scanty clouds. Each bouquet rose slowly, cleared the roof line, then rose in 45 degree or steeper angles into the northeast sky. I am hoping that up a bit higher they catch a powerful and fast current and get carried far, far away!
http://balloonrelease.blogspot.com/2009/02/our-most-beautiful-balloon-release.html

Our Most Beautiful Balloon Release, Number 74!

2009-02-05T08:23:00.002-06:00

Balloon Release Number 74 was set free on the morning of February 5, 2009 at about 8:20 AM. The sky was blue and filled with a nice collection of fluffy white clouds!

Here the large bouquet rises slowly over the apartments, headed over the golf course on a direct north track.

There is always something magic about watching balloons float into the sky and vanish, wondering if and where they will be found.

Want to join the fun? Want to know when a balloon is found. Then join the Balloon Release E-Mail Notification. We will e-mail you ONLY when a release is reported found!

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Bart Simpson Frees Balloon Release Number 73

2009-02-04T21:31:00.000-06:00

That's right, Bart Simpson himself stopped by the Balloon Release World Headquarters to release number 73. Here he gazes upward, wondering if the mass of balloons might lift him up into the atmosphere.

Relax Bart, you can handle it. This could be a lucky release as the last ones found were let go by my dog Trixi and Napoleon Dynamite. Seems lucky to be 12 inches tall!

The balloons, released February 4, 2009 at about 9 PM, drifted away to the east. Let's keep out fingers crossed.
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FOUND! Balloon Release Number 2 From Our First Day!

2009-02-04T20:36:00.005-06:00

All the way back in December on the 17th Lexi let Balloon Release Number 2 float away into a cold and drizzly sky. They drifted up and away to the west so I thought with any luck they would be found in the dry landscape of west Texas. How wrong I was.

Here Lexi prepares to let the balloons go. Trust me it was quite chilly, but hey, when you have a new skirt to wear you have to wear it, right?

The balloon might have floated to the west as it left but at some altitude it changed course and found itself 211 miles away, hanging on a branch above a Louisiana river. The card arrived in the mail today and in a funny twist was found by a man who has released balloons himself. Now that must have been really cool for him!

"Hello, 1-3-09

You will never guess where we found your letter! Believe this or not we found your letter hanging on a limb in a river called Little River in a small place called Trout, Louisiana between Jena, LA + Pollack, LA on Hwy. 8. (Central Louisiana)

My husband was running his line in the river and I think he was very excited to find it. We have a little boy who is 10 years old and they had a balloon to make it all the way to central Arkansas one time!

Bubba, Christi & Colton The Beesons"

So how cool is that Balloon Release fans? Two days in a row we have had reported finds. Out of 72 releases already 4 have been found in four different states!

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Balloon Release Found! ! ! New Record Of 791 Miles! ! !

2009-02-03T22:08:00.007-06:00

Another release has been reported found! Balloon Release 72 was set free just last night. As last time it only took one day to be found. This time the balloon was released in Atascocita, Texas and found in a suburb of Tampa, Florida! John Hayes sent this excellent and well appreciated note via e-mail...

Hello Napoleon;

I was playing golf today and was assisting a friend to find a stray golf ball that had gone into the woods. I spotted a bunch of balloons with one still intact (I'm looking at the Orange colored balloon as I type).

The card inside indicated that this was Release #72 with your various details attached.

The balloon made it all the way to the following address:

Alongside the 15th Fairway of the Renaissance Golf Club, Sun City Center, Florida 33573.

I wish you bon voyage on your upcoming trip. Enjoy the opportunities that are presented along the way.

Regards John Hayes

John writes to Napoleon because Napoleon Dynamite released the balloon last night, and tonight flew off to start his around the world adventure with his first stop in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Below is a map of the journey the balloon took.

A total distance of 791.25 miles, as the crow flies, assuming he flies in a straight line. I found a really cool Google Maps tool that shows the air miles rather than driving miles, so hopefully the distances are more accurate.

Pretty amazing that the balloon flew across the Gulf of Mexico and made it to shore, just so, and landed on a golf course just before Mr. Hayes' tee time. So cool.

That incredible maps tool also leads me to correct the first release where I thought the balloon traveled 540 miles. If it drove a car yes, but it flew, probably in a direct manner, and the corrected distance is only 462.915 miles as shown on the map below.

That's OK though. I like accuracy, and the almost 800 mile record for Balloon Release makes up for the correction. Can you beat that record. Not without releasing some balloons yourself you can't, so go to it.

(Isn't it strange that out of my 70+ releases and almost a dozen from friends that one found balloon was released by a dog and the other a doll? Guess I'll try to release some using a dummy, or a drag queen, maybe a dill pickle...

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Napoleon Dynamite Frees Balloon Release Number 72 ! ! !

2009-02-02T21:36:00.006-06:00

Tonight me and Alan released balloons number 72, and I got the honor of letting them go. Kind of a symbolic gesture as tomorrow I leave on my BIG TRIP!!! Check out my travel plans at Napoleon Dynamite Travels The World. Here I am holding the Texas themed postcard I sent with my Balloon Release.

Let me tell you, those five balloons were freakin' bigger than me, and I had to really hold onto them or I might take a flight before tomorrow.

Another dramatic shot with the balloons tugging at me trying to whisk me into the air.

Alan took some shots of me as I was set to let them go. It was cold out so we didn't linger.

Goodbye balloons. Hope your trip is longer than mine, but I know it probably will not be. I leave tomorrow and hope you can follow the fun at Napoleon Dynamite Travels The World. Follow me, sign up for e-mail postcards, or best of write me and let me come stay in your town for a few days! Hope to see you all over there.

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Balloon Release 71 ! ! !

2009-02-02T20:32:00.004-06:00

Saturday, January 31, 2009 Ballon Release number 71 was put together and released from the balcony at about 9 PM.

The balloons were old and SLOWLY drifted up, though the second they cleared the roof line in altitude a gust of wind snatched them quickly eastward. Scarily they soared over the next building and immediately went DOWN...

Tress loom on the near horizon so I walked the area and have to presume the balloons soared upward again and got free of potential obstructions. They were nowhere to be found.

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Balloon Release Numbers 69 And 70

2009-01-30T00:06:00.004-06:00

Ballon Release number 69 was let go early in the morning on January 29, 2009. Lexi let it go from the Atascocita area at about 8:30 AM.

The day old ballons sailed slowly upward and caught a gust...

eventually finding a course toward the city of Houston, toward the southwest.

Later that evening at 8:30 PM Balloon Release number 70 was set free from the balcon, drifting up into the cold air in the exact aame direction. Maybe they will labnd in the same location! Right.

I am planning a large bouquet or release for number 100 which is rapidly approaching. I am hoping that maybe I can plan it in advance and on the same day have others participate and release ballons in multiiple locations around the world. It is National Ballon Release Month in February, you know?

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One To Beat. A 6,000 Mile Balloon Journey!

2009-01-26T17:48:00.004-06:00

Here's one to beat. This balloon traveled from England all the way to China and was found. We had better cross both of our fingers, maybe our toes too, here at Balloon Release World Headquarters.

If you're going to be beat it might as well be by an adorable four year old girl. Little Alice Maines of Manchester, England released her balloon in May as part of a school project for the summer fair. Four long months passed with no word. Several balloons were found in nearby towns, but Alice's seemed to have been lost.

5, 912 miles away 13 year old Xie Yu Fei, who goes by the English name of Nathan, was playing with friends and found Alice's balloon in the street. He graciously took the time to send a note with his name and e-mail address. The finder of the balloon was to receive a pass to the local zoo in England. Since it's a bit inconvenient for Nathan to travel to England to visit the zoo, the entire class is sending a box of letters and photos.

Nathan sent the above card and photo to let Alice know her balloon had been found. An incredible story of a huge release and find.

Yes, I already have e-mailed Nathan to invite him to join us here at Balloon Release.

Want to know when a balloon is found. Then join the Balloon Release E-Mail Notification. We will e-mail you ONLY when a release is reported found!

Join the fun and release your own messages. Questions? Read our Balloon Release How-To Guide. It's FREE!

Rafael Releases Balloon Bouquet Number 68!

2009-01-25T00:41:00.004-06:00

Rafael had the honor of releasing number 69 this morning, January 24, 2009 at about 10:30 A.M. in Humble, TX. Here he testes the air to see if it is all right...

and releases the bouquet to the air currents. The balloons rose very slowly and barley cleard the fence around the swimming pool, but made it up and over, rising more quickly at that point.

Last seen headed on a southern track, let's hope these babies are found soon.

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Balloon Number 56 Found, Postcard Returned!

2009-01-25T00:34:00.004-06:00

Hooray. Balloon Release number 56 drifted 540 miles and was found by Ken Bush of Grove Hill, AL. Thanks Mr. Bush for returning the card and having your son e-mail us in advance. If you wish to read the entire story of the release, which is credited to my dog Trixi, than visit the release post. A second post details the story and includes a map and more information.

Want to know when a balloon is found. Then join the Balloon Release E-Mail Notification. We will e-mail you ONLY when a release is reported found!

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Balloon Release 65, 66, And 67!

2009-01-23T22:31:00.009-06:00

Release 65 was let go by myself from Atascocita, TX on the night of January 22 at about 10 P.M., sailing away toward the east.

The next morning, January 23 at about 8:45 A. M., Frank released number 66 from the 5900 block of Greens Road in Humble, TX.

The day old balloons slowly rose and drifted northward.

A few minutes later the bouquet vanished from sight.

Release 67 was on the night of January 23, 2009 from the 8300 block of Highway 1960 East in Atascocita.

This big blue bouquet also rose slowly, barley clearing the building, drifting to the east.

Best of luck to all of our releases, hope they are all found soon.

GIANT Obama Inauguration Balloon Release Number 64!

2009-01-20T22:25:00.003-06:00

Tonight a GIANT 18 balloon bouquet floated away in Atascocita, Texas, traveling west at a slow clip. The balloons were left over from an inauguration watching party, 18 red, white, and blue balloons with attached streamers lifted the Balloon Release pre-paid postcard into the night air. Call it the Air Force One of Balloon Release events.

It was quite chilly out, not Washington D.C. chilly, but cool anyway, so we let the huge balloon bunch slither up off of the balcony. After it was let go, the balloons sailed back over the building and from the front door at the opposite side of the apartment I watched it sail westward. Hopefully this large bundle will fly high and fast. Maybe Barack will find it on the lawn of the White House?

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Lexi Releases Number 63. It's A Dud!

2009-01-20T22:02:00.004-06:00

Early on the morning of January 20, 2009 Lexi released Balloon Release number 63. Again the balloons, as last time, were day old ones with limited lift. The bouquet slowly drifted up, east, than west, and promptly snagged on a power line. Since Lexi refused to scale the pole and ease out to the balloons to free them I decided to just go to work. A lost cause. But at the very last minute a gust of wind freed the balloons. Don.t get to excited. By the time the cheering stopped they had sailed across the highway and snagged more permanently in a tree across the street.

Here the balloons hang, tangled in the twigs. I have a fear that the balloons will rot and the card drop, and some person will mail it to me from across the street. Worse, they may walk it over, smirking as they hand it to me.

I intend to keep a running update in the sidebar with the length of time the balloons remain hanging in the tree. Should be interesting to watch and see how this unfolds.

UPDATE: The balloon that became snagged on Veller Street became free and apparently floated away later that same night.

Have you signed up for the E-Mail Notification list. I'll e-mail you ONLY when a balloon is found. Several folks are on the list and their lives are happier, their relationships more fulfilling, and they all got a raise at work. What about you?

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Balloon Release 56 FOUND ! ! ! 462 Mile Trip ! ! !

2009-01-17T22:07:00.004-06:00

On January 14 Lexi and I released a bouquet of balloons, number 56, but we let Trixi wear them for a few minutes. Though she was unimpressed and barely noticed the balloons, we credited her with the release.

It was a chilly night, and the balloons rose fast and sailed northeast. Read the complete post on Trixi's Release if you wish, and you will see she is a lucky dog.

The balloons Trixi let go on January 14 were found on January 15, only one day later. They had traveled from Atascocita, Texas all the way to Gosport, Alabama! I received an e-mail notification that reads...

"My dad found #56 attached to a yellow balloon on Thursday, January 15. Location is in Gosport, Alabama about 2 miles south of US Highway 84 in Clarke County and near the Alabama River.
He is supposed to be mailing the card back to you."

Check out the map of the release flight path below.

That trip is a distance of 462 miles! A new Balloon Release in-house record! Can you beat that one? I hope you do.

Did you get an e-mail notification of this balloon being found? I didn't think so! Why not? Because you have failed to sign up for the Balloon Release Found Balloon E-Mail Notification. I will e-mail you ONLY when a balloon is found.

Do you like this fun idea and want to join the party? Do you have some questions? Don't hesitate to e-mail me or read our Balloon Release How-To Guide. It's FREE!

Day Old Balloons Are As Bad As Day Old Bread

2009-01-17T21:17:00.010-06:00

It was a challenging day here at Balloon Release World Headquarters. I thought maybe letting balloons sit overnight would cause them to rise slower, more dramatically. Trust me, it did! Just make sure you release away from trees, as they definitely rise more slowly. Also, there's a fine line between a slower rising balloon and a no rise balloon...

Lexi and the required cute pose with balloon number 59.

She had time to turn back wistfully and wish number 59 luck as it slowly rose from Corydon Street in Huffman, Texas and drifted north.

Number 60 was releases from Veller Street in Houston, Texas. Again, a slow goodbye as she rises into the late morning air. That ominous tree in the background has a cousin just out of the shot that the balloon gingerly skirted into...

Becoming lodged in the upper branches. Oops. It was impossible to reach or set free, though winds may have tossed her loose by now, but I don.t know for sure. Watch me get a postcard when the neighbors find her. Distance traveled. Zero miles!

Lexi set about for a quick after dark release of number 61 in the Walgreen's Drugstore parking lot.

I didn't realize it for a moment, until I saw Lexi laughing and pointing as the poor bouquet dragged across the ground lamely. No more pep in this one's step.

Adding a third dark green balloon, the balloons limply gained altitude in an amazing slow motion rise. They headed east toward my house and I fear they may land on my doorstep. At the speed they were traveling that five mile journey should take about two weeks.

Last release of the day, number 62, was done in the parking lot at home in Atascocita, Texas.

And there they go, drifting away to the east. Let's hope these balloons released at different times of day and varying condition are found in widely spread out locations.

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Silver And Gold Balloon Release Number 58

2009-01-15T20:29:00.004-06:00

Balloon Release number 58 was set free in Atascocita, Texas tonight at about 8 PM. This one was themed Silver and Gold, as the large bouquet was colored... guess?

Silver and Gold release ready to fly.

Those gold balloons almost hide in the photo, but the standard "Secret Message Inside" card is very bright!

Goodbye Silver and Gold! Good luck. They floated slow and low for a while, headed due east, then as they faded away in the distance, suddenly lifted upward and gained altitude.

Want to know if these or any other releases are found. Join the E-Mail Notification and receive an e-mail ONLY when a balloon is found.

Join the fun here at Balloon Release and let a few go of your own, then share the story and images with us. Charli in Massachusetts and Linda in Tennessee did and it was great fun. Need help? Read our Balloon Release How-To Guide. It's FREE!

My Dog Trixi Lets Number 56 Go, I Do 57!

2009-01-14T21:47:00.004-06:00

Trixi my dog had the honor of releasing balloon number 56 tonight, released in Atascocita, Texas at about 7 P.M. OK, to be honest...

She had a little help from her older sister Alexia! That was quite a large bouquet, I was worried Trixi might float away. That would be alright I guess as there is a note attached and she does have a tracking implant! So Big Brother of me.

I tried to hold balloon number 57 down to Earth for a while but it slipped past my defenses and swirled upward and followed the bouquet to the northeast. Good luck balloons, hope the card comes home soon.

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Balloon Numbers 54 And 55 Are Released Today!

2009-01-13T20:39:00.007-06:00

Early this morning balloon release number 54 was done on Greens Road in Humble, TX, at about 9 A.M.

Here the bouquet is readied for release.

Floating into the crisp and cool blue morning, sailing southward.

Nice view of the balloons with the sun peeking over the edge of the building.

Release number 55 was an evening release by Lexi in Atascocita, Texas, happening at about 7 P.M.

Always with the poses, Lexi... just let the balloons go!

Gotta love that blue shirt, pink pants, and black boots. I think she dressed for the balloon release.

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Want to join the fun? Release your own balloons with notes and have them logged here. Read our Balloon Release How-To Guide. It's FREE!

Five Balloons Released In Nashville, Tennessee By Linda And Friends

2009-01-12T18:00:00.002-06:00

Linda from Psyche Connections, another blog worth reading, had a little get-together in the Nashville, Tennessee area and released five balloons with notes attached. Linda was kind enough to share the photos of the party with us here at Balloon Release, so we will log the release.

Front row- Naomi. Back row Cindy, Yvonne, Jessica and Helen.

This was inside before the big release. Releasing balloons can be a unique, original party idea that people have fun doing and remember. At first thought it seems silly, but in the end it can't help but be fun.

Naomi, Helen, Cindy, Jessica and David

You can see in the dramatic pix that inside it's all a little tentative, but once the release is imminent, everyone is all smiles. Thanks for sharing the images Linda, and good luck, hope they all 5 get found. Let us know if they do with ALL the details.

If you would like to receive an e-mail when these or any balloons we know of are found, join our E-Mail Notification.

Want to join the fun. Release your own balloons, send us the story and images, and we will log the release. Get all the details in our Balloon Release How-To Guide. It's FREE!

Balloon Floats From Brigg, England, Across The North Sea, To Wielkopolskie, Poland.

2009-01-12T17:30:00.006-06:00

To celebrate the opening of the Thomas Bell Country Store in Brigg, England, customers were given balloons to release with notes attached. Balloons reported found were eligible to win prizes. (Balloon Release readers, don't get any ideas!) Several of the balloons were found in nearby towns but one landed 750 miles away, a perilous trip across the North Sea and a large portion of Europe, finally coming to rest in the town of Wielkopolskie, Poland.

4 year old Reece Easey was the boy who launched the balloon and the store rewarded him with a gift certificate worth £50! Magdalena Skrzypczak of Poland reported the find and won a jacket in the contest. Good reason to keep your eyes on the lookout for balloons.

Reece's mum (so British, hmmm?) Jennifer said, “I can’t believe the balloon landed in Poland, when I let it go I never thought it would get so far, it’s brilliant, and to have the chance to spend £50 at the store is even better." Hey Jennifer, the boy released the balloon, so take your eye off that fancy set of garden tools!

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Victoria Makes Balloon Release Number 53, Suddenly Becomes Reclusive.

2009-01-12T17:10:00.004-06:00

Victoria wanted to release a balloon so she had the honor of setting number 53 free from Atascocita, Texas. Lexi drives Victoria to swim practice each day, which explains her colorful and unique attire.

Of course, seeing that pictures would be taken, Victoria got all "celeb" on me and we have to make do with these odd and original poses.

"Oh, should I watch the balloon fly away? Is that part of the fun?"

Goodbye Balloon Release number 53, and good luck. They sailed away to the northeast, a good direction, away from the water.

If you would like to receive an e-mail when a balloon is found join our E-Mail Notification. Want to join the fun and release your own balloons. Be sure to let us know, and read our Balloon Release How-To Guide. It's FREE!

Toy Balloon Travels 932 Miles To Sweden!

2009-01-12T00:31:00.003-06:00

View Larger Map
Kids at the Old Clee Children's Center in Grimsby, England released 100 balloons at the opening ceremony on November 17, 2007. Months passed and the memories faded and then came the amazing news that one of the balloons had floated all the way to Vilhemina, Sweden, a distance of 932 miles! The balloon was found on October 26, 2008, almost a full year after the release. "We were extremely surprised when we found out one of our balloons had been found", Jacqui Illingworth said. After a year I should say so. There's a challenge for Balloon Release. Our first find was 142 miles away. That's just a tad shy of 932 miles. Read the news story here.

Price Releases Balloons Number 51 And 52 In Kingwood, Texas

2009-01-11T21:15:00.008-06:00

This afternoon at about 5 P.M. Price was the lucky boy who got to release numbers 51 and 52. We released them from a neighborhood in Kingwood,Texas into beautiful, blue Texas skies.

Price is all smiles, but a little torn between the adventure of releasing the balloons and maybe keeping them. He's holding his binoculars so as to track them.

The pictures are a little out of sequence. Here Lexi, Price's dad Greg, and Price watch the first bundle of balloons sail away.

Two bundles rapidly floating away to the east. It was one of those crisp, cool, and clear days, perfect visibility until the trees block the view.

If you click the image for the larger view you should be able to make out our last sight of the balloons. Let's hope the cards soon come back to us in the mail.

Want to join the fun. Sign up for E-Mail Notification when a balloon is reported found. If you want to release a balloon yourself read our Balloon Release How-To Guide.

Cambridge, Massachusetts Balloon Release By Charli

2009-01-10T21:06:00.012-06:00

Charli joined the Balloon Release fun today with FIVE balloon bouquets set free in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

She picked red and orange balloons as they matched the clothes she wore today. The lady at the store asked if they were buying balloons for a party, but Charli told her they were for a Nationwide Community Outreach Art Project. I like that.

Postpaid cards increase the odds of getting a response, and Charli included Balloon Release information in case they prefer to answer by computer. Click on the image for a better look at the card.

Another cool tool is the "Secret Message Inside" card, or something else that would catch someones attention. The card protects the postcard from being bleached blank in the sun, and the message encourages passerby to pick up the card.

Hi Charli. You should know at this point that in Cambridge it was 20 degrees Fahrenheit today. (My mailman shivered and said "It's gonna get cold today". I asked him how cold and he answered "Down to 45"! Some postal worker in Massachusetts hates him now.)

Charli had Michael helping, and he got the thankless task of untangling knotted ribbons, meaning he had to take his gloves off. 20 degrees, don't forget.

Five bouquets ready for launch.

Hey Charli, I often have to resort to that ribbon in the mouth technique. Today I had to stalk a balloon down, stomping my big feet on the ribbon before it lifted from the ground. All that while holding other balloons and a camera.

Off into the cold skies above Massachusetts.

Far away and going fast. Charli has plans to release more balloons in the future. Of course all of her launches will be logged here, so let's hope some get found soon. In the meantime, visit Charli to read her blog.

Do you want to join the fun. Read our Balloon Release How-To Guide. Also, be sure to sign-up for our e-mail notification. We will send mail only when a balloon is found. It's the easy way to get the exciting news.

Balloon Release Reaches A Milestone. Release Number 50 ! ! !

2009-01-10T20:50:00.010-06:00

A super cool milestone was passed today as Balloon Release Executive Vice President Lexi released number 50 from Greens Road in Humble, Texas! That's a lot of balloons, making it seem almost inevitable that soon we shall receive some found notices. Sign-up for e-mail notification of when a balloon is found!

Release 50 was done up well with TEN balloons, a special card announcing to the finder that they found number 50, a Balloon Release mini poster, and multi-colored streamers! Here Lexi prepares the huge bouquet.

Can a balloon be properly released without a little model styling? No.

I might disagree that this is the best time to put a mint in your mouth. Just release the darn balloons Lexi!

I tried to catch Lexi and the balloon sliding away. Ten balloons don't slide, they leap!

Goodbye Balloon Release 50, and hope you are found far, far, far away. Like in Brazil!

Rising high and headed south, this is the last we saw of the balloons. With any luck they will drift back into our lives.

Triple Play 47, 48, And 49 Escape In To The South.

2009-01-10T20:42:00.005-06:00

A triple play colored the skies of Greens Road in Humble, TX this afternoon as balloons number 47, 48, and 49 sailed away into the cloudy sky.

47 was pulled sideways by the stiff wind as it headed south.

In the distance 47 sails away, pursued by number 48.

At his point 46 has slipped away, 47 is barely visible and 49 is quickly attempting to catch them. Good luck, hope one of you are found soon!

Balloon Release Numbers 45 And 46 Set Free Today.

2009-01-10T20:34:00.004-06:00

Balloon bouquets 45 and 46 were released into a windy sky today and drifted sideways, slowly gaining altitude, last seen headed south towards Houston.

Cool and attractive messages mean it's much more likely the finder will pick the card up and investigate. These balloons were released from Humble, Texas on Greens Road.

There they go into the wild gray yonder.

Balloon Release 41 And 42. In The Daylight, Believe It Or Not!!

2009-01-10T20:01:00.003-06:00

Today was bright and cool, a great day for a release, and numbers 41 and 42 were let go into a brisk wind. They were set free on Greens Road in Humble, TX, and the strong winds carried them southwards. I hope the upper level winds were heading in another direction as the Gulf of Mexico is not to far away from here.

Balloons with attention getting messages attached.

Goodbye 41 and 42, and good luck on being found!

Tonight We Released Balloons Number 43 And 44.

2009-01-09T22:53:00.009-06:00

We are rapidly approaching release number 50. Tonight 43 and 44 soared into the night sky and it is inevitable that soon one must be found!

We released a two balloon bunch and another with several balloons.

Two ready to be set free from the balcony in Atascocita, Texas.

They drifted up slowly, the balloons were about 12 hours old. As they faded into the distance they became less visible. I am only almost sure they cleared the pine trees lining the golf course.

Here's the big bundle with extra long ribbon ready to fly. It was windy and they really were getting pulled around.

Takeoff! This big bundle shot up much quicker. The strong wind pulled them sideways but they easily cleared the trees and were visible for quite a while longer than the three.

I will try to get some daylight balloon releases done soon so the picture quality should improve.

If you want to release your own please join the fun with the Balloon Release How-To Guide. Also, have you signed up for our e-mail list. I will e-mail you ONLY when a balloon is reported found!

Balloon Release 39 And 40!

2009-01-09T00:09:00.006-06:00

Balloon Releases 39 and 40 happened tonight, January 9, 2007 at about 9 P.M. from the golf course behind my home.

There was a large bouquet released.

And a single.

My arm holding the balloons just before they were let go. It was a very foggy, kind of misty evening out tonight.

There the bouquet goes. That miserable little point of light in the image is the moon, approaching full, through the lens of an inexpensive camera. The single balloon was not captured very well to share, but it too successfully floated to the north.

Balloon Release How-To Guide

2009-01-08T20:06:00.015-06:00

I have had several e-mails and comments wondering about the how-to of my release methods, so I created this simple step-by-step tutorial. First, start with the basic supplies.

You will need some plastic baggies, the zip-lock type are highly preferable. Some bright paper or card stock will come in handy. Also the medium for the message. I think it is best to attach postage, because I believe some folks will find a card and set it aside, intending to mail it back...as soon as they remember to buy a stamp. Here in the U.S. I use postcards that the postal service sells for .30 each. I have used envelopes with postage and also just cards or a letter without postage when I had a balloon but no postage handy.

On the address side I make it easy to just drop the card in the mail. All of the Balloon Release balloons are numbered for tracking as to location and date of release. If you let one go, no big deal. If you release 5 or 10 or a hundred, than you might want to code them, maybe your name and a number- Smith12 for example.

On the back I write a sentence explaining the project, and a request for information on the finder, time, and location. I leave a little room for them to write. I also write the release number on this side. The domain name to Balloon Release and the e-mail address is always included, as well as information on where and when the balloon was set free. You can include the blog information or your own e-mail. In this digital time we live in it may make the difference between an answer or not hearing from a finder.

Use the bright paper folded in half to form a sleeve to hold the card. This serves a couple of purposes.

One- the bright color might attract a finder, the white card could just be almost invisible on the ground. Two- the card protects the ink writing on the postcard. The cards often sit in the sun for a while and quickly become bleached white. Protect your writing and increase your odds.

Often I write a funny quip or enticing word on the card, anything to make a person realize that the card is more than just a piece of paper, maybe even something magical!

Place the sleeved card in the zip-lock baggie and thoroughly seal it shut to protect the card form moisture.

Use something sharp like an ink pen tip to poke a hole in the plastic on the outer edge of the bag, on the other side of the zip-lock. This provides a tie-off point for the ribbon while still keeping the bag waterproof.

Tie the ribbon to the bag.

Oh, don't forget, you will also need a balloon filled with helium! There you have it, an Balloon Release waiting to happen. If you are using 17 inch balloons then one will probably lift the load just fine. If the balloon is a few hours old it may require two or more, especially if you use smaller balloons.

Of course using a large bouquet of balloons makes for quite a show, and sometimes on a clear day they can be visible for incredible distances.

As balloons rise high into the atmosphere they air is thinner, causing the balloon to expand. This will eventually pop the balloon and drop it to Earth. Sometimes I fill the balloons only partially for a slower rise and hopefully a longer trip. Also, it might be a good idea to have one very blown up balloon for lift, and another less blown up to extend the trip once the larger one pops.

It would be wise to never release balloons near an airport or power lines of any kind. Mylar or metallic balloons are a definite no-no as they will and have caused power outages by shorting electrical lines. The balloons themselves are biodegradable, and I am searching for some type of weatherproof baggie and ribbon that will degrade naturally, but with enough life span to give the card a chance to be discovered.

One last thing- please take some digital images of your release and share the photos, release date and times and any details or interesting stories with Balloon Release and we will log the release. Of course we would love to hear of any found balloons too!

Alan Mizell

Our First Balloon Release Partner Sets Two Free In San Antonio, Texas

2009-01-08T08:11:00.007-06:00

Allylala has become the first to release balloons and report it to Balloon Release for logging. She lives up in San Antonio and released two balloons with attached messages from Woodlawn Park. Looks like a beautiful day, she said there was lots of wind. That always makes the release a bit more dramatic and interesting!
Vist Allylala for the complete scoop and check out her cool blog.

Two balloons ready to fly.

Let them go- if you were meant to be together, they will return!

Goodbye red balloon.

Two balloons traveling together. Wouldn't it be funny if I found one in Houston?

I Lied For YOU And Balloon Release Numbers 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, And 38!

2009-01-07T20:52:00.006-06:00

A huge night here at the World Headquarters of Balloon Release. 6 bundles released in one night from the 8300 block of Hwy 1960 East in Atascocita, TX, all of them drifting due east. Maybe my sister will find one in Louisiana.

You should know that every day a small bunch of balloons would go in the trash at my place of employment, an apartment complex, were it not for Balloon Release utilizing them. Tonight, in order to get the balloons home I had to resort to a bit of untruth. One thing we have in our apartments are kids, lots of kids, so many kids. Kids that cling, want, ask. If you give them a cookie you invite a day-long endless stream of kids all seeking a cookie. So tonight as I was gathering the balloons in the darkness the single most clinging, begging sub adult appeared in the gloom with that question, "Can I have a balloon"?

Evil man that I am, I knew with this child a balloon would set off a daily procession of kids all wanting the balloons, ending the Balloon Release project. (Yes, I know I could release them there with the kids, but this would encourage them to pull off all the balloons every day. Trust me on this, OK.) So I told the boy that I had to gather them as we reused them every day, that the balloons were filled with helium, a very expensive gas. He doubted me as I loaded them into the car, wondering why I would not put them in the office.

Of course, I told him that my company was afraid of balloon burglars and wanted the balloons to come home with me, that they had purchased me my car so I would have a roomy vehicle to transport the balloons. Ethically debatable, yes, but hey, more balloons got released and the project extended!

Just so you know, I might tell a little lie here and there, but I will not resort to stealing, cheating, or murder!

Bishop McDowell Regional School Releases 70 Balloons, 5 Found!

2009-01-05T21:19:00.004-06:00

Bishop McDowell Regional School in Pittsburgh, PA allowed students to release 70 balloons, each with a note and address attached. You can also alert the students that a balloon has been found through the school website. They released their balloons on September 8, 2008 and five have been reported as found, ranging in distance from 99 to 166 miles. Four were reported within two days but one was not turned in until over two months later! Read the story and check out the found ballon details on their Balloon Release Page.

We are at 32 released balloons here and one found before the blog began. Ours went 142 miles, in the middle of their range. Every day it's a little like Christmas wondering if the gift of a found balloon will come in the mail or through the blog. Please join the fun, release a balloon, code it with your name and a number, eg. Alan001, and take pix. Send us the pix, release location and info and we can log it on the site.

Alan

Cold Weather For Balloon Releases 31 And 32

2009-01-05T20:41:00.009-06:00

Release numbers 31 and 32 were done tonight from Atascocita, TX, and it was quite chilly outside. Which explains the even more dubious than normal state of the images, Lexi was not keen on going outside for a release and snapped them from the balcony. Of course, cold in Houston means 45 degrees, so all those north of us feel free to laugh now.

One big bundle, one long string of balloons.

You can just see the tail with the package at the upper left of the frame.

Readying the long string.

And away they go, headed southwest toward the city of Houston.

As summer comes we will see some improvements. One, later days mean better daylight images in the evening. Also, I am going to have some cards pre-printed, ready for stamps, and spend more time on the aesthetics of the release. It's the artist in me! I also plan to have a section with step-by-step photos on how to best do a release, as many people have them planned. Remember, take pics and log the release here to share with the world. Another plan is to interest teachers in class release projects. Hopefully there could be some related lesson in weather, science, geography, and a fun project for the children. 100 at a time will increase the odds of being found!

Alan

Kodak EasyShare C713 Digital Camera Almost Ruins Balloon Release 30, While Losing Over 100 Photos.

2009-01-03T22:01:00.004-06:00

Due to a camera memory malfunction, Balloon Release 30 will have to be represented by artwork. The balloon itself was released from the lovely brown beaches of Galveston, TX at about 5 P.M. on January 3, 2009, drifting north toward Houston. Lexi released the balloon while I shot the image as seen above. Luckily I have professional skills to let you see the dramatic liftoff of the balloon with a thirty foot ribbon attached! The drawing is almost photographic, except their were only two balloons. And they were pink. And the beach is browner. And it was hazy. And Lexi and Trixi are both cuter. Slightly.

I can wholeheartedly say do not buy a Kodak EasyShare C713, as this is the second time the camera has mysteriously lost over 100 images, both times pix that were impossible to replace. Like the balloon release. Like a huge amount of hard to reproduce images for three other online projects. Like photos of my sister visiting me for the first time ever. Kodak, sorry, but you suck. Sorry for the rant, if interested in my review read it on CNET.

For a more positive ending- Balloon Release 30! 30% to One Hundred! When are YOU going to release a balloon and send us the images and story.

Balloon Release Number 29 Runs Into A Spot Of Trouble!

2009-01-02T20:51:00.008-06:00

Here I am at about 5 P.M. on January 2, 2009, ready to release a bouquet of 4 yellow balloons from Veller Street in Houston Texas. This time I was out of postcards so the release featured a complete self addressed and stamped envelope with note inside.

I thought it would be funny to let one go with a long string, so here I am reeling out about thirty feet of ribbon.

Ready for release, the longest cord ever. I really had to time this right as there were plenty of trees around the property and I did not want it to get snagged. I already had one balloon temporarily snag on a power line giving me a fright, not so much for the lost balloon as the for the potential call saying my balloon caused a 10,000 home blackout!

And away it goes...

Could you predict the next part. Of course it got stuck. The balloons rose and the card skirted several branches, tugging and releasing, tugging and releasing, before snagging on a tiny twig at the top of a very shaky looking tree. If you click on the photo for the larger view you can better see the straining ribbon trying to pull free.

There was a danger in trying to free the balloons as gusts of wind were pushing the balloons across the street. We tries to hit the branch for quite a while with sticks and wood scraps. Hit it at the wrong time though and one of those gusts would push the balloon right across the street into an even taller pine tree. After several dozen attempts the balloon slip free and rose in the air!

The breeze carried it northward at a steady clip, making it number 29 to be set free. Keep your fingers crossed.

Balloon Release Numbers 27 And 28

2009-01-01T01:31:00.005-06:00

I released numbers 27 and 28 tonight right after the New Year's Eve fireworks began. Lexi, Sara, and I released a total of 6 bouquets, bringing the total so far to 28. These were the first 6 of 2009! Here they are floating in the dining room before they left us.

On every release it seems much time is spent untwisting the cords that seem to grow together.

Look at those fancy moves, such release style. They were released about an hour and a half ago as I write this, and must be far away by now, presuming they made it through the gauntlet of fireworks that illuminated Houston!

All 6 were actually released on Veller Street in Houston, near the Intercontinental Airport.

With any luck a reply will be coming in the New Year mail!

Alan

Lexi Makes Balloon Release Numbers 25 And 26.

2009-01-01T01:27:00.006-06:00

Lexi let balloon bouquets 25 and 26 float into the night from Veller Street in Houston, TX, right after midnight, on January 1, 2009! You can just look at her and see the enthusiasm in her eyes! Lexi was a bit under the weather, and after a few fireworks and the balloons, she called it a night. Good luck having them found Lexi!

That large jacket she is wearing... MINE. No wonder I was so cold outside.

Sara Makes Balloon Release Numbers 23 And 24

2009-01-01T01:21:00.004-06:00

Sara released two bundles of balloons into the darkness of Veller Street, Houston, TX, just after midnight on January 1, 2009! Earlier it seemed like a good idea, but this LATE hour may have had a bad effect on her motivation. Let's hope the new year has these balloons being found.

Balloon Releases 21 And 22.

2008-12-31T16:31:00.012-06:00

Balloon release numbers 21 and 22 happened just this morning as two new bouquets were set free on Greens Road in Humble, Texas. The first were let go by myself, three balloons and postcard as shown in the four images below.

The second round was a large bunch of 9 balloons and Rigo got into the fun, freeing them into the sky. We both nervously watched as they barely cleared the buildings, then floated upward.

Both bunches floated southwest into a beautiful blue sky on this cool morning, the last day of the year... December 31, 2008. Let's keep our fingers crossed that they are found.

Man Ties Engagement Ring To Helium Filled Balloon. How Romantic. How Stupid!

2008-12-28T21:04:00.003-06:00

Lefkos Hajji thought it would be quite the romantic gesture to tie his sweetheart's engagement ring to a helium filled balloon- the unbearable lightness of being... married, or something like that. Walking out of the jewelry store with the 6.000 English pound ring (that's over $8,000 American dollars), a gust of wind did the oh so predictable. I love how the newspaper has a sidebar with a "Wedder" Forecast, explaining that upper winds were at 40 MPH and the ring should be somewhere over the North Sea, but if Lefkos wants to redo the balloon thing, winds are less now, so less chance of a gust. Read the whole stupid tale here.

Balloon Releases 19 and 20!

2008-12-28T20:48:00.005-06:00

Tonight we reached the 20 mark on releases, with 19 and 20 going up and away on a gentle breeze, headed in a southwest direction awat from 1960 Road East.

The first one I released actually rose so slowly that it became tangled on a power line. YIKES! I was already envisioning the electric company sending me a big bill for some strange repair. I mean, my name and address are on the postcard! Here you can see the lower balloon, to the left, it is caught on the line.

Luckily the plucky little aeronaut freed itself and soared away to new heights. Whew, big sigh of relief. You can see them both headed away in this shot. Remember to let me know if you release any balloons so I can log the. E-mail me if you want any instructions on participating here, or want to include Balloon Release blog information.

Alan

Merry Christmas Ballooners, One And All!

2008-12-24T01:03:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas

to all Balloon Release readers,

and have a

Happy New Year.

Keep your eyes open and the balloons you hope to find will appear.

Alan

Ballon Releases 14, 15, 16, 17, And 18

2008-12-23T00:25:00.003-06:00

That's right, tonight five more bundles went out. The local PO was out of postcards so they flew away with self-addressed and stamped envelopes. It was a quick release in the dark Atascocita night on December 22, 2008, as it is about 25 degrees with a cutting wind, and I was ill-clothed to be out. The balloons soared awaw at a low angle, barely clearing the trees, than over the golf course and northward, flip-flopping in the icy, turbulent wind. Maybe they will reach Canada? Or Massachusetts?!

I Mailed A Card To Balloon Finder Landon!

2008-12-22T01:19:00.003-06:00

I wanted to say that I mailed a really cool card to Landon in Newton, TX who found the first balloon. Read about Landon's balloon find here.

I wanted to post an image of the card but with hectic Christmas ahopping and wrapping I wrote a letter, sealed it, and shipped it without remembering. Sorry.

I did include a nice letter explaining the whole scenario, why it took so long to answer his card, and cool details like the balloon being found on my birthday. I also told him to ask his parents and then visit the blog.

I invited Landon and I invite you--- Send up a balloon with a card attached and let us know. If found, super let us know ! ! ! It's why we are here. Wouldn't it be neat if the blog caused hundreds of balloons all over the world to be released?

After the holiday break I am going to promote the idea to teachers, I think it would be a fun project, and there is plenty of opportunity to educate about science, meteorology, geography.

Hopefull we can get a few more airborn this week. I'll keep you informed.

Alan Mizell

Balloon Releases 9, 10, 11, 12, And 13. A HUGE Release day!

2008-12-19T21:35:00.007-06:00

In addition to the three boquets released earlier today, an additional five air mail balloons wers sent aloft this evening. The release occured in Atascocita at about 8:30 tonight, December 19, 2008.

Five large bundles of balloons wait in the Christmasy living room to fly away and make a new friend, hopefully far, far away.

The postcards with postage are in zip-lock type baggies, and to protect the card from having the sun bleach the ink right off, I wrap them in a piece of paper. I inscribe a little note on the paper to attract attention. Writing 'secret note', 'air mail', 'read me', and 'a message for u' on the paper, I couldn't help but think of the 'drink me' card Alice in Wonderland finds.

That's a big bundle of all five bouquets, tangled badly. What a putz.

Goodbye balloons, goodbye. It's always so cool watching them drift off, wondering where they might land, how far they might go. Tonight they drifted eastward, toward Louisiana.

Lexi caught one last glimpse of them in the darkness. I have a suspicion that two I released simultaneously became entangled, but it is the kind of thing there is no altering of, so no worries.

Alan

Balloon Releases 6, 7 And 8. A New Person Releasing, A New Release Location.

2008-12-19T21:19:00.010-06:00

More balloons were set free today, this time by a co-worker's daughter, Ashlyn, from a new location just south of Humble, TX on Greens Road. Three bundles in total were released on December 19, 2008 between the hours of 3 and 4 PM.

Preparing to let them go...

People can't help but smile when they let a balloon go aloft...

Up, up, and away. Yeah Ashlyn!

Three balloon messages in the air, the highest one just visible in this shot. Let's hope Ashlyn has a balloon returned, and believe me, if she does you will hear about it here.

Alan

A Few Words About Releases, E-Mail Notification, Contests

2008-12-18T23:19:00.004-06:00

If you are interested in Balloon Release I know the found balloons are the real interesting part. With so many blogs and our busy lives, it's hard to check to see what has been found, if any. So I have set up a special e-mail address where you can join and receive an e-mail ONLY when a balloon is found! The address if BalloonReleaseFound@GMail.com Simply send an e-mail to me, write Join in the subject line or body of mail and whenever one is found, you will receive a notice with a link to the post!

Also, just a reminder, if you are intrigued by the idea and want to play too, please release a balloon yourself. Send me pictures, location, date, time, whatever, and I will work up a post and add the balloon to the listings. Also interested in 'message in a bottle' releases, and balloons or bottles found.

One other big future plan is when the blog reaches 100 followers I will release 100 balloon messages, one for each of you, coded in your name. Maybe the ones that are found will win a prize!

If this sounds like fun you might also enjoy the Picture Puzzle to be posted on Robot Nine on December 26, with a used book as the prize for the winner. Make sure you play.

Alan

Balloon Release 3, 4 And 5 From Atascocita, Texas

2008-12-18T23:00:00.006-06:00

Tonight we released balloons 3, 4 and 5, again from Atascocita, Texas. Not quite as dastardly weather as last night but still kind of misty and moist. The balloons tonight drifted up Eastward, exactly opposite from last night, heading Louisiana way. Unless some upper cross current tricks me.

This is the three bunches with postcards in the house before being set free outside. The postcards are in zip-lock baggies.

The postcard has some basic information asking for location and time found, and hopefully some contact information. It would be nice to have some cards printed specifically for the releases, so I will place that on the list of things to do.

If you wish to receive an e-mail ONLY when a balloon is found, which is the fun part of the project, just drop a line to me at BalloonReleaseFound@GMail.com Write in the subject line or text "Add to found list. I will only send a note with a link to the post when and if a balloon is found.

Hope to hear from you all, drop me a line, leave a comment, follow the blog, or release a balloon and share the photos, location, time and such with me to post here.

Alan Mizell

Balloon Release 1 and 2 From Atascocita, Texas

2008-12-17T22:42:00.007-06:00

Tonight was the Official Balloon Release Inaugural Ball. OK, I took some balloons that were left over from the apartments I work at and attached a note and released them. Luckily I had two postcards at home as the Christmas rush had the lines at the PO twenty deep, even at 8 PM at the 24 hour post office we have here in Humble, TX. Below I am holding the two bouquets and Trixi my faithful companion is on a leash and by my side.

Sorry for the image quality but it was night with a puny and cheap digital camera. Seeing how faded the postcard that was found was, I wrapped these in a sheet of paper to prevent bleaching by the sun. Then the postpaid cards addressed to me were placed in zip seal plastic baggies. I punched a hole in the outer edge so water cannot get in and tied them to the string hanging from the balloons. Foolproof!

My daughter Lexi caught this dramatic image just as Balloon Release number one left the frame of the viewfinder. The bright specks in the picture are drops of drizzle, as it happened to be raining misty drops, and fog was very low, the balloons quickly vanishing in the grey. Both bunches drifted away to the West. Maybe to Katy? San Antonio? El Paso? Los Angeles? Tahiti?

Lexi released Balloons number two just after this shot. Dad was not talented enough to catch the balloons in air, that shot was totally black. Oops...

Both releases were mad tonight, December 17, 2008 at about 9:00 PM from the 8300 block of FM 1960 in Atascocita. Hopefully someone will have a Christmas surprise and find these soon. Keep your fingers crossed.

Have You Ever Released A Balloon? Was It Found? Here's The Story Of Our First Balloon Release Find!

2008-12-17T21:50:00.001-06:00

Welcome to Balloon Release. You may have already read this first story in a post I wrote over on Laid Back Think Tank a few days ago. I have released balloons in the past with a note attached and have had two returned to me. This is the story of one of them, the most recent.

It has been a long time coming because the balloons were actually sent aloft from Atascocita, TX back in February of 2008, and a letter came in the mail from the finder, but somehow I carelessly misplaced the reply. Just the other night I jarred my desk causing some papers to slide along the back side and down the wall, among them the envelope! As you can see it had taken a toll while it sat on the desk, suffering through notes and coffee cups, before hiding.

I had originally sent a postcard with my address as the receiver with a note on the back side describing the project. The postcard as returned was bent, dirty, weathered, and I guess it was just luck the address was visible as the reverse side was totally faded. The finders luckily placed it in an envelope and returned it to me.

Not just any little letter was good enough for the kind-hearted finders, they saw the adventure that the balloon note carried with it. 12 year old Landon Kelly found the balloon on his grandparent's farm near Newton, TX, and they sent a super-awesome Western themed card with the perfect image, a young lad with his dog and horse reading some mail that seems to have arrived in the more conventional fashion.

Inside the card Landon and the adults wrote a very nice letter which I have transcribed below, or you can click on the image for a better, larger view.

Landon's text is in red, his grandparent's in blue...

Alan

My name is Landon Kelly And I'm 12 yrs old. I found your balloon in our pasture in newton tx

Actually, in his Grandparent's pasture (Will and Donna Barrow) March 12.

Was fun to find your card. Hope you enjoy ours. We live in Newton, TX on a 40 acre farm. We are very close to the Sabine River, which divides Louisiana and Texas. Hope you are having a fun and blessed Easter.

The balloon was released in the 8300 block of FM 1960 Road East in Atascocita and landed in Newton, Texas, a distance of 142 miles! Hey, for now, that is a Balloon Release Blog record!

It was quite disappointing losing the letter before I could answer it, so finding it was so excellent. Strange, it was found on March 12, and they sent greetings for Easter. Now that I have found the letter I am sending them back a long letter in a huge Christmas card. I will keep you posted on their answer.

I will soon post the story of our latest release so I hope you will stop in often and check out what's been sent aloft or found.

Alan Mizell
Atascosita, Texas