Copyright ©2025 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PLEASE DO NOT USE MY IMAGES WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION.
October 31, 2025 was Nevada’s 161st year of Statehood. The celebrations started early in October with many events scheduled throughout the month leading up to the big Birthday Bash on November 1st.
November 1st started really early with Hot Air Balloonist rolling in at 6am to get their balloons ready for an 8AM lift-off. I was there.
I usually pick one balloon and stick with them until they lift off. This year I watched the crew that owns this balloon laying flat on the ground.
The crew pulled up to their spot on the street then they laid out a huge tarp, next they roll out the balloon. The crew is named Cloud Couture Crew. The Balloon’s name is Cloud Couture. It’s piloted by Eric Diamond.
Next they hook up the basket, and gas, check all the lines, then they turn on a huge fan. See it next to the basket on the left? They use the fan to fill the balloon with air. The best part is when they have enough air in the balloon to start heating it up and lifting the balloon! Whoosh! It was warm standing here once they had the flame going.
That’s Officer Lorentzen from the Washoe County School Police department. He’s about to embark on his first hot air balloon ride.
By the way the balloon is piloted by his boss.
Now the balloon is just about ready to fly!
Officer Lorentzen is invited on board as well as one more passenger, the owner- Delores Martinez. It’s almost Go Time!
While they wait for 8AM and lift off the ground crew is holding onto the lines keeping the balloon from rising. Another crew member is on ground standing by to give the pilot directions with hand signals which way to maneuver the craft to miss trees, lamp posts and wires.
I turn my back on the crew a minute to see what’s happening behind me, and find Lift Off has begun!
This is looking north.
Let’s look back and see what’s happening behind the Cloud Couture Crew.
Looking south.
Did Officer Lorentzen and crew get off the ground?
Cloud Couture is airborne!
I waved good-bye and quietly wished them a great flight, and soft landing.
All in all I counted 18 balloons in the air, but I may have missed a couple.
My girlfriend and I went to breakfast and shed some layers before the parade started at 10AM as it was getting warm out.
Cloud Couture Crew-
Pilot-Eric Diamond
Owner-Delores Martinez
Crew Chief- Stephen Moore
Crew- Anthony, J-Bird, Alex, and Emma.
You can find them on Instagram at CloudCoutureNV
Cloud Couture, thank you for letting me and my camera hang out with you to see all it takes to get your beautiful hot air balloon off the ground!
Happy Wednesday!
more to come…
Circadianreflections Blog 
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