At 5:30 a.m. during the summer months in Heber City, Main Street traffic begins to pick up. The sky lightens. And, most days, pilot Troy Bradley helps his crew unpack a Rainbow Ryders hot air balloon for the morning’s trip.
The colorful red and orange-patterned balloon is nearly 80 feet long when laid out at the launch site — Heber Valley’s local airport. Bradley, accompanied by crew members Jaxon George and Dakota Caldwell, unfolded and untangled the balloon and ropes systematically to prepare for Monday’s ride. With little to no wind that day, Bradley said the mornings are peaceful, quiet.
That is, until Bradley starts filling the balloon with cold air. Then, a 15- to 20-foot flame.
