I have been flying off and on since 1975 (airplanes) and was looking for a new hobby when my wife's uncle invited me to the 2000 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta to crew his balloon. Well I had fun and he got transferred to Singapore so he had to sell his balloon. To keep it in the family I "talked" my wife into buying it (aka...didn't tell her until it was too late). I received my balloon rating in February 2001, and my commercial rating in 2006. I have flown at events from Oregon to Virginia and Washington to California. As long as my crew is having a safe and fun time it has been a good day and if we get to fly that is even more fun.
Jim Campbell