Saturday, July 17, 1999

Balloonist shares his perspective at 300 feet

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BY MICHAEL D. CLARK
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A hot air balloon piloted by Ken Singleton glides along the afternoon sky. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

        MONROE — As the hot air balloon rises gently skyward, the natural beauty of Butler and Warren counties reveals itself.

        Towns, shopping centers, housing subdivisions and gray roadways that often dominate the scenery from ground level are diminished from the unique perspective of floating slowly and quietly 300 feet up.

        What unfolds and then overwhelms the panoramic view is what escapes the terra firma-bound — rolling green hills, wildlife and expansive farm land.

        This has been the view from hot air balloon captain Ken Singleton's “office” during the last 18 years.

        As owner and operator of Clear Sky Balloon Rides, he has enjoyed the unusual vantage of both the natural beauty and rapid growth in Butler and especially Warren County, which is the second-fastest growing county in Ohio.

        “It's sort of angelic up here. It separates your life from the hustle and bustle,” said the 53-year-old balloonist, who has piloted more than 8,000 passengers along the gentle air currents over Warren County.

Ken Singleton fills his craft with air. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

        Though Warren County's growth in residential and business development is booming, from Mr. Singleton's unhurried, bird's eye view, the county has space to spare.

        “There's still a tremendous amount of land in the county that is undeveloped,” he said.

        Of the land that remains, there is an abundance of greenery, birds and animal life — all visible from the gondola of Mr. Singleton's colorful hot air balloon.

        Cornfields show off a symmetry from above, with individual corn leaves branching out in intricate, delicate patterns largely invisible from the ground. Small herds of deer, spooked by the periodic blasts of the balloon's propane heaters, leap through soybean fields toward sheltering woods.

        Horses hold a curious, steady gaze skyward and even cud-chewing cows pause to contemplate the lighter-than-air object casting a moving shadow across their usually sunny field.

Singleton fires up the burners, as he prepares to launch his balloon. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

        It's not unusual to see truck drivers slow their rigs and residents carry youngsters out of homes, all to eye the rare sight of humankind's first form of controlled flight.

        Unlike motorized flight, there's little sensation of movement. No wind. No turbulence.

        Beyond the sweeping 360-degree view afforded by the open-air gondola, quiet is the dominant sensory experience. Dogs bark upward and shouts of “hello” from the gondola are heard below and gladly answered.

        “It's really powerful. And it's interesting how much attention you draw. People stop what they're doing and little kids come running,” said Michele Gibbons of Kettering, Ohio.

        Tom Hain, and wife, Debbie, drove down from Columbus to experience their first hot air balloon ride.

        “It's fabulous. The quietness and smoothness. It's just like heaven,” said Mr. Hain.

        For information call (513) 779-1427 or log on at www.hotairballoonrides.com .

       

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