The Carrizo Plain is a very unique place. It lies on the border of San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties in Central California. It's both an expansive arid grassland and a national monument. We were invited by our friends Jen and Mike to join them at ABRESCO 2011, an annual hot air balloon gathering and campout. WOW! It's always incredible to be invited to somewhere you've never been and on top of that have an experience like hot air ballooning for the first time.
The Carrizo plain doesn't have much to see exactly, it's a place that has to be experienced. We camped at a drive up area outside the National Monument. It gave a great view of the total openness of the plain. It's a place that doesn't get much rain, but remains covered by grassland that extends as far as you can see.
It's also a geological anomaly in that the San Andreas Fault is on the east side of the valley. So the geology on to the east of the plain is much different than the plain itself, since the plates have crept in the north/south direction, displacing the continuity of the geology. Take a look at the Wikipedia page. It provides an interesting history.
HOW TO GET THERE: Google directions for Cal Valley, CA or Carrizo Plain National Monument.
Breakfast on Saturday. Just a little too windy for ballooning, but just right for mimosas.
These guys made a successful launch although gutsy since the wind had started to pick up.
The guy flying this kite had it commissioned. It's a scale replica of the American Flag. Pretty sweet actually to think that someone had a kite commissioned and made to their own liking.
Dawn on Sunday. The wind is down, the balloons are ready...
I think they called this a power-parachute? A go-cart strapped to a parachute with a propeller.
It was awesome to see all these huge balloons come out of nowhere. 5 minutes before I took this picture there were no balloons in sight.
Getting Jen and Mike's balloon "RUBIK" inflated and ready to fly.
Jen initiates us to the ballooning society. We're in!
