Starting off the mass ascension this July 28, 2007 at Solhberg Airport in Readington New Jersey were this trio of Hot Air Balloons which were masterfully timed to depart as one. Unbound they are masters of the skies with merely the wind to steer them and the flames to feed them.

This balloon's pilot is actuating the burner unit using propane to feed hot air into the balloon itself. Within the gondola itself (wicker basket) are the other passengers as they take to the air to enjoy a sight that's surely spectacular.

I'm so very happy to have borne witness to this spectacle. Yes, I've been there up close at past festivals yet I'd never experienced it like this. My hat goes off to all those who timed, choreographed and arranged this year's celebration. Truly well done.

One of the techs, helping hands or pilots is here feeding flames into the mouth of the balloon's envelope. Yours truly has gotten close enough a number of times to feel the extreme heat emanating from these flames. Actually it's quite overpowering.

This image only features a small group of the over 100 Hot Air Balloons which took to the air en masse. I simply couldn't and still can't make up my mind how to describe it. It was either like witnessing the departure of a battallion of troops going off into battle or like see tens of angels ascending into the heavens.