There are only two guarantees with a hot-air balloon ride: The balloon will go up and it will come down.

After that, it’s up to the winds and conditions of the day. Flights can be anything from a speedy run covering the entire length of the valleys to an elevator ride: straight up and straight down. Regardless, late summer is the perfect time to go for a flight.

Over the Rainbow offers balloon flights over the Sammamish Valley just north of Redmond, and Arial Balloon Company provides the same for the Snohomish Valley. Flights of one to two hours are seasonally available for mornings and evenings. Guests and crew meet, either at the base of operations or a pre-determined location, for hors d'oeuvres and pre-flight libations.

Getting the balloon inflated is a remarkable process that one can either observe or jump in and help. Starting with fans, the balloon’s envelope is filled with warm air. When semi-inflated, propane-fired burners above the balloon’s basket are lit to heat the enclosed air to a point where it can provide lift and take off. With all passengers and pilot aboard, the ground crew maneuvers and guides the balloon to a smooth lift-off.

Once aloft, the experience is quite different from powered aircraft. There’s no flight noise and no wind in your face. The breeze and the balloon move as one. The only sensation of speed is perceived by gazing at the ground, which is quite likely what you’ll do. It’s very easy to drop into a peaceful reverie--at least until the propane burners are lit to re-heat the balloon to maintain or gain altitude.

Flight profiles can vary from treetops to nearly a mile high. Formations of Canada geese are sometimes right at eye-level. Regardless of how long you’ve lived in the valleys, from this unique vantage point you’ll see things about your environs and community that you’ve never really appreciated or fully understood. And yes, you really can see your house from here!

Even at the whims of the winds, pilots accomplish masterful and very soft landings, even steering between trees. Chase vans that have been following the flight are ready to greet you upon landing. The tradition of bringing along champagne to appease the owners on whose property the balloon might land continues, with toasts all around.

Editor's note: These photos and essay first appeared in Woodinville Patch.