By KT KING Photography Intern on Aug 2, 2012, at 9:40 PM Updated on 8/03 at 12:15 PM
The blower of Tom and Kelli Keller's hot air balloon 'Joyride.' KT King/Tulsa World
It isn't every day you get to ride in a hot air balloon for work, and even though it was on my schedule, it wasn't my day today either.
However, I was really intrigued by the process of putting the hot air balloon from the trailer to the near stages of flight.
Tom and Kelli Keller were my pilots-to-be at the media event at the Gatesway hot air balloon festival in Claremore. The couple graciously showed us the whole process of preparing the balloons for flight, in hopes the winds would calm so that flying would be possible.
We got as far as attempting to open the envelope, but the high winds would not allow flight today.
Even though I wasn't able to go high into the sky on a balloon ride, I was able to snap some colorful photos of their rainbow balloons being opened near golden hour, a treat for any photographer.
Tom Keller explains the difficulties of flying a balloon in high winds, an often problem for avid balloon fliers in Oklahoma. KT King/Tulsa World
As the sun sets, so does the chance of flying the hot air balloons today. The high winds on August 2 have kept everyone out of the skies. KT King/Tulsa World
Contents of a bag to be taken on the flight of the hot air balloon. KT King/Tulsa World
Kelli Keller shows the insides of the balloon envelope before canceling the launch. KT King/Tulsa World
Kelli Keller attaches instruments to guide her to the landing point of her hot air balloon. KT King/Tulsa World
Kelli Keller opens the envelope of her hot air balloon 'Joyride' to prepare it for flight on August 2, 2012 before the Gatesway hot air balloon festival in Claremore. KT KING/Tulsa World
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