Chapter 4 - Sunday
The alarm sounded off at the appointed time of 4:20AM. I sat up on the side of the bed and rousted the girls. The thoughts of a few hours were still fresh in my mind as I kissed each of them on the forehead. "Wake up sleepy-heads, time to rise and shine." The girls sat up slowly, yawning big and rubbing their eyes. I flipped the bedside lamp on. Kim squinted and said, too early for that and way too bright.Β I just laughed. "Come on times a wasting. You had better dress in layers. It is going to be about 58 at launch time at ground level, so plan on low 50s to high 40s aloft. Up and at'em you two, T-minus 28 and counting."
I went down into the kitchen and started the coffee. While it was brewing, I went to brush my teeth then to dress. I put on a pair of zip off convertible pants, polo, crew shocks and sneaks. I had several jackets of varying weights in the truck. Even though it was summer, I had used them just two weeks earlier shooting the NHL conference finals.
I returned to the kitchen and poured two cups of coffee. Kim was already dressed and had gotten a glass of orange juice. Kim had donned a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. She also had a hoodie and sweatpants folded on the kitchen peninsula. I turned and called, "Jane, are you about ready?" I looked at the clock it was 4:40. "I have your coffee ready; it's in your insulated tumbler on the bar. Kim and I are going to the truck. Be sure and lock the door on the way out."
Kim and I stepped out into the cool morning air, I checked to make sure I had the camera cards and my netbook. I put them in the cab and opened the door for Kim. As we waited on Jane, I had a talk with her. "Kim, I am so proud of the progress you have made this weekend. You have far exceeded my wildest expectations. But today I am imposing a no sex for you policy." She looked questioningly at me. "You have done nothing wrong my little pet. I just think that your poor pussy could use a rest. That and I need to spend a little alone time with Jane. Do you understand Punkin?"Β
"Yes Sir, I do, I do understand. I know that I am not the alpha female and never will nor do I wish to be. I know that Aunt Jane and you love me and that you two do need someone on one time. I will make myself scarce this evening."Β
"Thank you for understanding, Kim you are wise beyond your years." I kissed her forehead. "You will get your turn latter this week."Β
Her eyes brightened as she did her best big smile ala the :D emoticon. "I can hardly wait."
Jane was coming out the door and caught the very tail end of Kim's last statement. "Wait for what?"
Kim ever the quick thinker answered, "Breakfast, Aunt Jane. I am famished."
I helped Jane into the truck without acknowledging her question hoping she would be satisfied with Kim's answer. "Jane would you please dump the memory cards from last night? I will back everything up from the weekend while we are waiting on our food." I entered the truck and we set out for Pigeon Forge.
We rolled into town and I checked the time. 5:15, we had 45 minutes before we had to meet the balloon crew. I pulled into a steakhouse that had a buffet breakfast. It was just what the doctor ordered, something fast and filling. The launch site was just another 5 minutes away. I slipped the netbook and remote drive into my photo jacket pockets and we all went in to eat. Great we beat the rush. We each took a tray and plate and ordered our beverages.
I pulled out my wallet and Kim said, "I got this, you have paid for everything so far."
I politely declined her offer reminding her, "Remember the invitation was all expenses paid. You keep you money for souvenirs." Jane went ahead to find a table while Kim and I fussed over the ticket.
Kim leaned in and whispered into my ear, I can't have the souvenir that I want." I looked at her questioningly. She leaned in again, "Your baby." I almost hit the floor as my knees went weak. My cock throbbed and I prayed that it did not swell. I paid the bill and we went to find Jane.
I got the netbook and remote drive out and started the backup before I went to get my food. By the time I had everything up and running the girls had returned. Jane had opted for something light, a bowl of fruit, yogurt and a bagel. Kim had hit the omelet station then added smoked sausage and hash browns. I went to fill my plate. I, "Mr. Predictable," had my three scrambled well, bacon, home fries and wheat toast.
We ate quietly and soon Kim and I made second trips while Jane watched the equipment. Kim returned with a bowl of cereal and I with a couple of country ham biscuits. We finished out meal and I reminded the girls to go to the restroom unless they did not mind using a bucket in front of a stranger.
I gave them a few minutes while I finished my coffee and packed up the CPU and drive. I was turning the corner as they came out of the restroom and we headed of the truck. The sky was quickly brightening. We pulled out and headed off to meet our balloon crew.
We arrived five minutes early. The crew was starting to roll out the balloon. We checked in and signed the safety wavier. We had a quick safety briefing; soon they were inflating the envelope with the big fan. I grabbed a camera and flash for a few shots as the girls pitched in helping to spread the balloon on the ground. I asked about mounting a video camera and they asked to see my rig before they agreed. I handed Jane my camera.
I went to the truck, and returned with my Canon XA-10 cam and a mounting arm with motorized X/Y gimbal. The whole outfit weight less than 10 pounds. The mounting clamp used bolts and wing nuts in a padded clamp. The gimbal's pan functions were operated via a wireless remote. I also grabbed a safety cable and carabiner. They liked my set up and told me to wait until the balloon was up over the basket before mounting it.
They asked the girls to help with the final inflation. They had them go inside the envelope and help check for fouled lines. When they finished that task, the pilot let Kim fire the burner and help stand the balloon up. I got some nice video of that and Jane was taking photos of everything.
The crew brought a stepladder over and put it in the gondola. I climbed up and attached the video camera being sure the safety cable was secure. I hopped down and set the ladder out. The girls joined the pilot and me in the gondola.
It was a mere minute later we were airborne. After three minutes, all you could hear was the burner and the wind. When we reached an altitude of 2000 feet, the pilot broke out the Mimosas and Krispy Kremes. We all took turns shooting pics. I took note of who shot which frames. The pilot turned out to be the owner of the company. He was very interested in how the video was going to turn out. I told him if I was happy with the results, I would be happy to discuss doing some consulting and training with his company on how to produce in-flight videos as an added value up-charge. Kim was not very sure of herself when we took off, but the pilot let her have a go at the burners. Kim just loved that. Flights generally last about an hour, but due to a wind shift, our ride lasted almost two.
We crossed a few smaller ridgelines and went through the Pearl Valley before landing near Cosby. We took turns taking photos of the other two helping to pack up the balloon and loading it onto the trailer of one of the chase vehicles. The ride back to the starting point of our journey took about 45 minutes. I dumped the video and camera cards into my netbook. I had stowed a backpack in one of the chase vehicles before we launched.
When we arrived back at the parking area, I transferred the equipment to the truck. I got a couple of my business cards to give the owner. I told him I would do a rough edit to give him an idea of what would be reasonable for a product to sell to his clients.
We got into the truck and reminded the girls that shopping was on the agenda if that is what they wanted to do. Although I doubted the stores would be open yet as it was just 11AM. I suggested that we go back to the cabin and take a nap. They readily agreed, still feeling the lack of sleep from the last two nights.