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Santa Fe (crew)
By Lesley Grossman on September 18, 2008 12:00 AM | Permalink | 27 Comments
I hate heights.
I'm only 5''3", and that's really as high up as I ever like to go. Our office is on the 12th twelfth floor, and I can't go near the windows. It's bad, not even a fear really, but an all-consuming, shaky legs, cold sweat terror. So it makes perfect sense that I'm about to go up in a hot- air balloon.
We're in New Mexico and for the past week, I've been more than content to take in the scenery from ground level. In fact, I was all ready to take some great photos of the crew lifting off. I was even going to wave!
But, no. Website photos need to be taken, and it's my job and ... ohhhhh, man.
Getting into the balloon is surprisingly harder than it looks, and, of course, I trip on the way in and land at the bottom of the basket. Liftoff is surprisingly smooth. At least, I assume it is. My eyes are squeezed shut, and I'm clutching the sides of the basket so hard, I can't feel my hands. I'm actually not afraid of falling or crashing into power lines or rabid pigeons, and with my eyes closed, I don't even feel like I'm 150 feet in the air.
(Did I mention I got up at 4 a.m. to do this? Insult to injury, that's what that is.)
(I'm sure the good people down below in Albuquerque are also glad I skipped breakfast.)
Ten minutes into the flight and our pilot takes pity on me, dropping the balloon lower (I'm sure it had nothing to do with us needing a shot of Sam from up above.) I manage to take a peek, and we're now less than 10 feet off the ground, floating over a lake, which is fine with me. I figure if anything goes wrong now, all those swimming lessons at the JCC Day Camp will come in handy.
As we drift along, skimming the treetops, I manage to pick off a few shots here and there (one-handed, there's no way I'm letting go of the basket.) I figure if I can survive indoor skydiving in Orlando, this is at least less windy. The view is amazing, and I manage to hold it together as we begin to climb higher. Passing over the freeway, semis honk at us as we sail by, and each time our pilot pulls the cord, the neighborhood dogs bark up a storm.
A wide field comes into view, and our pilot lets us know it's landing time, noting we might want to secure all lose objects and hang on tight. Landing a hot air balloon is a lot less graceful than taking off, and our basket crashes into the ground, bouncing and skidding across the dirt. We finally come to a stop, and it tumbles over, dumping us out. At last, I'm on solid ground.
We crawl away from the basket, and get ready for Sam's landing. The wind shifts and her balloon sails over us, out into the distance. There's no way I'm going back up to catch her.
27 Comments
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- charles rinehart: Samantha has a great show. Not only is she very sexy and beautiful, but she has a lot of...
- rad928music: sam you got the greatest hips and legs, your sooo fine
- Charles: I believe the hotel is the Athenaeum in Mayfair
- Jason Farrar: Hi Sam i love your show i watch them every week. I always say you have the best job in the...
- dorothy: Where have you gone? You were a pioneer of the travel channel and now all I see is Andrew and...
This was hilarious...not laughing at your fear of course, just the way you tell it. I never knew pigeons could go rabid! Anyway, thanks for the amazing website pictures! ...weird coincidence...or maybe not but I play slow pitch softball for the local JCC and last night my entire softball team was excited and talking about being in a hot air ballon event coming up next weekend. Maybe they went to JCC Day Camp too!
Wow, that is pretty scary, i have a thing for hieghts as well. I'm sure you can do it though :). Um...I know this is off the subject, but I was wondering if you could answer a question that I have. See, i love the travel channel, and working for it is my dream job, and i was wondering how you get involved with it. I read that you have to join a company or something like that because the channel itslef doesn't make the shows, and i have no idea what they are talking about haha. Could you maybe tell me how you got involved with the show? it would be a great help, and i would really appreciate it. Thank you :)
I think your show is great and you present everything in an intellectual and culturally informative manner. I teach Hospitality and Travel to high school students in a multi-cultural inviornment in Worcester, MA. It would be very helpful if I could get copies of your trvel DVDs. I do not know how this can be done. The students mostly girls would benifit greatly.
I am trying to teach these students in a manner your sophistication. This is a trick. So, if you could help me out it would be greatly appreciated. I have seen all your shows I have DVR'd the series. I have no way of copying it to a flash drive, if i did I would not be making this request. Also, I know you are from Portsmouth, NH, so if you are ever in the area during the school year, you would be a welcome addition to my students learning curve. There are 76 students in the program. Someone like you can have a great influence on teenagers. I certainly hope you see this comment.
Thank you
Hi, Samantha.
This might be a strange request, but I thought maybe you'd be able to help.
I just found out I have 26th off and now have a 4 day weekend. I live in DC and would love to travel somewhere warm, but not beachy. Can you think of any inexpensive destinations? I'm 29 y.o. female and my twin will most likely join me too.
I like artsy/museum-y things, and anywhere there is salsa dancing is a plus! If you can email me directly, I'd be sooooo appreciative!
Thanks!
orchidgirl at gmail dot com
Hey Crew dont feel bad your not alone I use to get picked on in high school because of my hight and most of my friends would make fun of me and throw joke around about me but I feel you on how you feel abouts hights and flying I used to be scared of flying but I have over come my fear thanks from David
Hey!I like it you host any tv shows, It is good for me when I saw you I feel very excited to make me funny. I will very appreciative what you have or anythings.Wish you always come best.
When are you going to Colombia????there are wonderful places there...Its a pretty country.
You should go back to Ireland cause so much there. Such as going to Newgrange which is older then Pyramids at Egypt. Including Northern Ireland. Visit more castles including Ashford castle. Also Dublin north and South is building more such as Ballymun and Santry near the airport. And Wicklow which includes Enniskerry, Powercourts Gardens, Arklow, etc....
Alot to visit at Dublin of course ... and the suburbs.
You always wear the best outfits. Your new add for your show at ten, I love the pink dress you have on! What is it? I would love to know!
Thank you
Please tell me...how do you get a job like this??? Samantha has my dream job!
Hi Samantha,
It's my 1st time to leave msg here. I know you via your show on T&L and i love watching it soooo much. You are a great & funny host indeed.
BTW, i'm planning a tour to France(Paris & Annecy) with my sis. Would you please tell us which season it's the best for us to go ?? And we'd love to go sky-diving too. Is there any such activity in France ??
Thank you so much.
Glad to see a show of travels instead of a man eating food. After all it is called the travel channel!
I see you are the guest star at the upcoming travel expo in Washington DC. I will be there offering scuba experiences for the visitors. I would like to invite you to try SCUBA! Even if it is not the first time, please come over to the pool and play! Can't wait!!!
smaller the pepper the hotter the fire.
Samamtha ,
Love Your show .
I dont have money to travel so Your show is like i am traveling .
Helps with stress alot of stess.. im under . see read more about me search google see kent G anderson
and my web page www.futurevisionaries.com
Best
KGA
I love Samantha Brown! I really hope she does some more shows, because I absolutely love them! Maybe she could go to Canada? I know it sounds boring but a lot of people have never been to Canada, even though it is so close. Maybe to Quebec city during the carnaval?
I have been a BIG Samantha Brown fan from the get go. I LOVE her work. She is so open and inviting. I'm truly a fan! She has such a warm, and inviting demeanor. How can you NOT go somewhere, anywhere with her??? She truly seems like the person portrayed on TV. I look forward to seeing more of her shows. I wish there was a "Interview with Samantha" type show just to talk to HER. Ask her favorite spots, where would she like to go back and spend time, funniest story, scariest incident, if she weren't helping tour the world through her eyes, what would she be doing type of things.
Many future success Samantha Brown.
PS. Hats off to the crew for making her look good! If it weren't for you folks, there wouldn't be much of a show.
Can I pay to be on the crew even if it's for one episode? ;-)
Oh Samantha!
You are missing out on Federal Way, Washington!
The City of Federal Way, Washington, is located between Seattle and Tacoma, with Mt. Rainier to the east and the beautiful Puget Sound water to the west. We have the largest amusement park in th region, Wild Waves Theme Park. And you can check out our Rhododendron Species Foundation and our Botanical Garden, and our Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection. We also have the Aquatic Center which boasts an olympic sized swimming pool.
I could show you where all of the little treasures are around town, I would love to. I know this wonderful little russian shop that has the only russian candies in town.
Please come for a weekend. - Tyler Young
Samantha,
Our latest adventure in Key West.....check out the website.
RW
We miss seeing more of you on the Travel Channel...Early time and longer show would be great!!!
I realize there is not a whole lot in the center of the United States, but those of us who live here would like some weekend travel advice! Samantha so has my dream job.
Dear Samantha Brown - I have followed your show closely & I would like to say "kudos" on 1) your toning up - YOU LOOK GREAT!! b) finally showing getaways that are real & affordable!!!
LL
Samantha u went to one my fav european cities:Paris. I first went to Paris back about this time in 01. I rode the entire metro. I'd like to go back and experince the city of lights. Now if u ever return to France go to Amiens outside of Paris via train from the Gare du Nord. Second city I went to Barcelona. Loved it. But journey outside around Catalonia. As for me I've got the travel bug and my own little sister thinks I should have my own travel channel show.
Three words. The Grand Canyon.
Have you been there?
SAMANTHA,
I LOVE WATCHING YOUR SHOW. TODAY YOU WERE ON A CRUISE TO COZAMEL, WE ARE PLANNING ONE ( INCIDENTLY ON THE SAME CRUISE, CARNIVAL INSPIRATION) IN JULY. THANKS FOR SHOWING AROUND THE TOWN. WE ARE PLANNING TO DO THE JEEP AND COMBO ( WERE YOU GO TO THE RUINS) HAVE YOU DONE ONE THERE ? I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT.
THANKS,
DEBORAH
New Mexico is gorgeous, one of my favorite states for a weekend or longer! You should have done your first hot air ballooning in Namibia - one of the safest places on the planet for it....and check out the scenery: http://miraterra.blogspot.com/2008/08/namibia-by-dune-full-moon-hot-air.html. Oh, and search my blog for an article about you, too!
Like everyone that watches you show, I love it. I am hooked. It gives me a sight into places I would love to go and may never get to, as well as shows me places that I can go and what is around to see, giving me ideas of things I have never thought of. Like one blogger said. Its like taking a minivacation without leaving home.