Surprise Balloon Landing: Rubicon Bay

Balloon approaching Rubicon Bay, Lake Tahoe-8:35am

        Is it a Chinese spy balloon? Is Xi Jing Ping on board, seeking asylum? Or has Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, climbed aboard for a thrill ride? Balloons are not unusual over the lake during the summer months. Visitors are willing to pay $250/per person to go aloft, silently to take in the view. Today's passengers got a little more than they paid for, in terms of thrills.

       The Mayor has been observing these flights for many years; the hot air, heated by an on-board gas burner, lifts the balloon to at least 1000' above the surface of the lake. At the altitude normally achieved, the craft gently drifts west with the morning breeze, providing the passengers with an unequaled experience of viewing the high Sierra, its peaks painted white today with remnants of the historic snow levels of the past winter. Today, with early morning temperatures slightly above 40 degrees, the balloon was launched from its usual point near Zephyr Cove in Nevada. The launch/support boat then follows until the time period has elapsed and the pilot brings it back for a pickup. However, this morning, the winds picked up just after launch: an east wind pushed the balloon toward the west shore, near Meeks Bay. By 8:30am, the winds were raising white caps across the whole south part of the lake. Clearly, the balloon was now at the mercy of these gusts.

       In the photo, the chase boat is obscured by the tree; it appeared to be at top speed-maybe 6-8knots for a pontoon boat. A first attempt at retrieval was made minutes before the photo was taken, and it was not successful. After almost landing in the water, the pilot fired the burner and lifted the balloon to the height in the picture. Apparently, the decision was made to make a beach landing in the vicinity of the beach at Rubicon. 

     The Mayor will follow up this bulletin after visiting the landing site shortly.