Winds this morning were VERY squirrelly this morning! When we woke up winds were brisk out of the north at 10 to 12 mph. With low expectations, we headed out of the field. Surface winds were still quite brisk but now out of the west as we gathered for the pilot briefing. After some discussion, we were put on hold till 7:15 am (shortly after sunrise). In the interim, the surface winds died and a few balloons were noted in the distant hills. The task was called for half the balloons to fly off the field, and half to fly in. Those flying off the field had a choice of two targets south of the field, but it was not going to be easy to get there because of the prevailing northwest to southeast wind direction. The ride balloons were cancelled for the morning given the uncertainty of the weather. A Dr Pepper balloon inflated on the south end of the field and took to the air before long. The balloon hovered over the field, but once he climbed to ~150 feet agl, he began to clip off to the southeast towards town. As the other balloons began inflating, the typical drainage winds temporarily took over providing a northeast wind in the lowest 100 feet or so. This allowed pilots that got off relatively early to travel to the southwest before getting wrapped up in the prevailing northwest to southeast flow and make a round about track to the target. The stronger winds from aloft quickly mixed down then and before long winds were blowing at a steady 10 to 15 mph on the surface. Only four balloons made an attempt to fly in to the field before the task was called due to the increasing winds. Of the four, only one made the field.
The latest word is the gas balloons are going to try and fly tonight, so check back for photos of the gas balloons.
Did I mention the field is a little wet? 
Here are a few pilots from Florida. They are used to following each other around Orlando, so flying towards the city did not deter them.
A few flying from the field, many elected to stay on the ground.
A few shapes inflated too. 
Wally! 
Darth looming over this racer with a photo on the side of it.
Cloud hopper from France.
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