Callaway Resort & Gardens is a beautiful place to stay or visit. For us it is a one hour trip by highway or one and a quarter hour trip using the more interesting backroads, primarily Georgia highway twenty seven. They have lots of activities all year round that make this a great place to visit multiple times throughout the year.
We went this time to see the Birds of Prey show, the Blue Morpho Butterfly Exhibit, the Car show, and the Hot Air Balloon show. All are very accesible and fun.
Barred Owl
Great Horned Owl
Red Tailed Hawk
Harris Hawk
The Car Show had some beautiful cars of all types from restorations to rat rods.
And then of course the Balloon Festival. We had to wait for the winds to die down before the Balloons could be launched. The first balloon went up when the winds were blowing at eight miles an hour with the forecast showing the decreasing to less than five. Its fascinating to watch them set these balloons up, it takes a lot of teamwork.
First up.
First to fly
Eventually there were nine balloons tethered and giving rides to a lot of people.
For the Balloon Glow event there were six balloons, two with very creative designs.
I watched as one of the balloons was being raised. Because these balloons were not being flown they did not need to be tethered.
After laying out the balloon they begin inflating it with a gas powered fan and the close up the top air release with velcro tabs.
The basket and balloon laying on the ground nearly ready for filling with hot air from the burner.
Filling the balloon with hot air. Pretty spectacular at dusk.
Once it is warm enough, the balloon rotates upright while the ground crew hang on to keep it in place.
The final result is a beautiful light display for the crowd.
Callaway Resort & Gardens
U.S. Highway 27, Pine Mountain, GA 31822
www.CallawayGardens.com