THE BALLOON GLOW DIDN’T WORK OUT SO WELL

 

It’s nice that St. Louis has so many public events and festivals. The bad news is that they have gotten so crowded as to be almost unbearable. The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is in its 54th year. It’s the usual hare and hounds chase. The night before they have a balloon glow. After sunset, they inflate on their gas jets at the sound of a horn, glowing vividly in the night. It’s spectacular.

Ellie and I arrived a half hour before the preliminary events started and 2.5 hours before sunset. We got one of the last spaces in the nearest parking lot. We sat in the car for an hour running the AC (not so bad, it’s a hybrid), killing time on screens. Ninety minutes before sunset we walked down one long hill and up another to get to the main field. Then Ellie, who is afraid of insects, wouldn’t sit on the grass because ants might get in her clothing. It was so hot, humid and crowded we went back to the car, at least for a cool off. We decided it was pointless and we left as the sun was setting. Huge numbers of people were still streaming in.