The Balloonatics: Memoir of a Professional Hot Air Balloon Pilot

42 Years. Thousands of Flights. One Wild Ride Through the Skies. After graduating high school, Craig Elliott accepted a friend’s invitation to join a local hot air balloon crew. That moment changed his life forever. Join Craig Elliott on a laugh-out-loud, edge-of-your-basket journey through his unforgettable career as a hot air balloon pilot. What began as a spontaneous invitation to help crew a local balloon in 1976 quickly turned into a lifelong passion—and a front-row seat to some of the wildest, weirdest, and most awe-inspiring moments ever experienced above the earth. From flying with world champions like Capt. Phogg to navigating close calls with observatory towers and unexpected weather, The Balloonatics is packed with high-altitude hijinks, unexpected lessons, and the kind of stories only a true “balloonatic” could tell. With warmth, wit, and a dash of daring, Craig Elliott shares four decades of airborne adventures—bringing readers into the sky and into the heart of a unique and extraordinary way of life. View Less