Tate and I were honored to be balloon handlers in this once in a lifetime event. We proudly “operated” Fuji-san with the assistance a wonderful crew. It was a beautiful, exhausting and fun day - one none of us will ever forget! Thank you Friends With You!
Make sure you scroll to the bottom for the lil movies!
When we got there at 11am only a few balloons were inflated.
Starting to inflate “Murbit” by Mumbleboy.
Murbit is nearly AWAKE!
Murbit inflated with a sad Malfi looking on.
David Choe painted Scion vehicle with a drum kit in the back.
Our favorite balloon! Called “Starry Eyes” by Friends With You.
This is “Grubaba” the spectrum worm. By Friends With You.
This blimp is called “zwirk” by Mumbleboy. That is a Tate in front.
This blimp is called “zwirk” by Mumbleboy.
Tate and Amanda pose near the Malfis.
Meet an alien from the planet Fluffy! By Devil Robots.
Starting to blow up our balloon. What is it?!
Tate is helping!
We’re all good helpers!
Meet Fuji-san! (The best one) By Misaki Kawaii
Atlas holding up the mountain.
Waiting... and waiting... for the parade to start.
More and more are coming to life as we babysit Fuji-san.
Other folks babysitting Murbit.
This is Jill.
Meet ”Neddrix Dogstrum” by PaperRad.
Tate chatting with David Choe about Neddrix.
This is Nik!
David Choe’s balloon. An awesome whale! Name? Munko.
Relaxing in the shade of Fuji-san.
Here we are again. Standing up.
Who is that in the background? It’s “Pyramind” by PaperRad!
The big old “Wrapped Phantasm” begins to inflate.
Beautiful Fuji-san.
Another view of the pre-show. Nearly time now! ...about 3pm.
Murbit prepares for liftoff.
Tate and John, co-captains! :-)
Hi there from across the base of a mountain!
Tate and Amanda hanging on!
Here we go! Little “ZoZo” is excited. ZoZo by Friends With You.
What we see in front of us...
...and what we see behind us.
MARCH! SECURE!
Fuji-san and her faithful crew from a distance.
Crazy Wrapped Phantasm bounces by.
Amazing.
Deflation time.
So temporary...
John squishes Fuji-san to help him release his “gas”.
Good times!
A man in a mountain.
A nice overview show from http://supertouchblog.com/
Tate sucking in gallons of helium.
Tate takes a swan dive onto Fuji-san.
Camera pan of deflation all around us.
