There's a hot-air balloon on my trail

Last week I combined exercise with entertainment, running to Cook Park for Friday's early-morning balloon launch.

The balloons began lifting off just before 6 a.m.

Dad joined me :)

The weather was perfect, except there was no wind. Literally. The balloons went straight up and never floated south like the were supposed to. 

Several gave up and landed in nearby fields/water-treatment plant:

It was quite a sight.

Then I was running home along the trail when I rounded the corner and was startled by a balloon right on the path. It was tethered to the golf cart and being escorted to a spot better suited for deflation.

And with Friday's run, I successfully passed my 2011 mileage. The distance really adds up when marathon training :)

:)