ANTHONY - Cars arrived early to the airport Saturday morning waiting to see 15 hot-air balloons fly into the sunrise.
The cool air seemed fairly calm. But when a helium-filled balloon was let go, it told a different story.
The higher the black balloon rose, the more it swirled. Balloon pilots who were at the annual Sunflower Balloon Festival knew Saturday morning wasn't the time to fly.
"When it dances, you don't fly," said Balloon Meister Wil LaPointe.
But LaPointe, of Parsons, said an experienced balloon pilot can tell whether conditions are right before the small balloon is released.
He pointed to some ripples in clouds over the airport. Those ripples indicate stronger winds up above.
He estimated the wind speed was about 45 mph at 1,500 feet. That was a little too strong for the 15 balloonists at the annual weekend event.
"We want to stay in Kansas," LaPointe said.
It didn't help that the fields the pilots wanted to land in were still wet.
Even though pilots didn't get a morning flight in, the day was still packed with activities in the small town of Anthony.
A car show started at 8 a.m., so those who got up early to see the slated 6:30 a.m. launch of the hot-air balloons didn't need to go back to bed.
Throughout the day, there were activities for the children, and at 2 p.m., pilots got to participate in the Sunflower Balloon Fest Parade.
Back at the airport, pilots were eager to show people how much hard work goes into flying a hot-air balloon.
"There are a lot of ups and downs," LaPointe said.
Pilots normally start the day at 4 a.m. for a 6:30 a.m. launch. Checking the weather and setting up the balloons take a large chunk of the time.
LaPointe suggests those who want to fly should have a crew to make the job a little easier.
Pilots also get the job of deflating some misconceptions about flying hot-air balloons. LaPointe said one of the biggest is that the balloons are going to pop.
"If you turn a balloon off, you're not going to hit the ground any harder than if you're parachuting," he said.
Sometimes the pilots get the chance to "initiate" a person who hasn't flown before.
LaPointe smiled as he declined to say what the initiation was.
All jokes aside, LaPointe encourages everyone to step into a wicker basket and try the "most peaceful type of flight you can have."
There is one more chance to see the balloons fly. Go to the Anthony Airport at 6:30 a.m. today to see the last scheduled launch.
Balloon Meister Wil LaPointe said the forecast looked better for Saturday night and this morning for a balloon launch.