A weekend of “Flying and Fun” at the “Flying Circus”

On the third weekend of August every year, the “Flying Circus” holds its annual Hot Air Balloon Festival in Bealeton, Virginia. Since my family and I own a hot air balloon company in the Shenandoah Valley about 45 minutes away, we always take that weekend to combine two of our favorite things, hot air balloons and Airstream trailers. One of the great things about the Flying Circus, it’s all about the family. The Flying Circus is a non-profit organization that performs an “All American Barnstorming Air show, featuring Wing Walking, Parachuting, and Aerobatic Acts every Sunday from the beginning of May, until the end of October.

There you will find many people giving their time each weekend to make sure this past-time is past down from generation to generation to the point were you have “four” generations of a family working there. The oldest John King (father) is always giving hayrides and working the gate, John King (son) is a retired UA captain who has been flying his restored WWII Stearman bi-plane for many years at the Circus, John King (grandson) has been a “Wing-Walker” since he was a teenager and John King (great-grandson, age 5) can be found running around and having fun and playing. One could say it’s one of the last true family entertainment places left.

The balloon festival starts Friday night with about 15 hot air balloons showing up for the weekend. After the Friday night flight we normally will go back to our 1966 Airstream Safari and sit next to the campfire and talk about the flight, relax and enjoy being together as a family. At the festival this year, Saturday morning brought higher than expected winds and some rain, which neither is good for flying a hot air balloon, so it became a morning of coffee/donuts and catching up with old flying buddies. During the day while napping in the Airstream, you can hear the roar of the engines from the old bi-wind planes landing and taking off, flying in formation and doing the stunts they are famous for at the Flying Circus.

It maybe hard to believe, but the sounds of the planes can be one of the most relaxing sounds you’ll ever hear. I got lucky Sat. morning by winning a ride for two in a WACO bi-wing open cock-pit plane. Since neither my 5 ½ old daughter nor her great-aunt had ever been up, I gave the ride to them to enjoy. Of course by the end of the flight, my daughter Virginia was ready to go again.

Saturday afternoon brought a balloon flight that was bittersweet. That weekend John King (the son) received a phone call from the local hospice asking if he knew of anyone that could take one of their patients for a ride in a hot air balloon. John informed them about the balloon festival and he was sure he could find a pilot willing to take them up. I had the great honor of being asked to fly that flight. At 62 years, brain cancer and the doctors saying only 3 months left, it was a flight that had to happen.

Though the winds were still a little high it was safe to fly and with the balloon inflated, into to the basket went the patient, his wife and my cousin who flew rescue and recovery during Vietnam. As we lifted off the ground flying over a half dozen balloon still getting ready to lift off, you could see on his face, a mans dream had come true.

The flight was a time of peace and joy for everyone in the basket. During the flight, we saw off in the distance a rainbow crossing the sky. I’d like to think that was Gods way of letting that gentleman know everything would be OK and not to be afraid.

After the flight was over, we toasted with Champagne to celebrate life and the blessings we all have. When it was time to say goodbye, he, his wife and two nurses got into the back of a limo. As I was closing the door, I said to him “It looks like two dreams were fulfilled today, yours and mine” he said “What do you mean?” I said “I fulfilled yours of wanting to fly in a hot air balloon and you fulfilled mine of always wanting to ride in the back of a limo with three women”. As we all laughed one last time and said goodbye, everyone knew we had truly been blessed that day.

Sunday was a day of more hot air balloon and plane rides. It quickly appeared my daughter had caught the bug for flying in a bi-wing plane. This time Virginia and her mother got to go for a ride. One of the great things about flying balloons at the “Flying Circus” you always have a plane pilot wanting to exchange a ride for a balloon flight.

As MaryKim and Virginia we out riding in the plane, I took the time to go check out another vintage trailer that was staying at the circus. Not real sure the year of the Shasta, but one could tell it was well loved and the folks, who own it, took good care of this rare find. You’ll find, many of the smaller festivals will allow people to camp onsite at no charge. If you have never looked into doing this, I recommend you do.

By the close of our trip that weekend, we were glad to live only 45 minutes away. With the hot air balloon loaded on the back of the truck and the Airstream in tow, off to the house we went in the dark of the night. If I remember correctly, by the time we got to the main road both MaryKim and Virginia were both fast asleep. Who ever said; “Using an Airstream can be relaxing way to travel” was correct, but with all the different ways to use it, it sure can be tiring.  

PRINT from the PAST

This is a great shot of what I believe to be a 1964 International “Scout” pulling a 1964 “Bambi II”, but don’t hold me to it. Love those white wall tires on both the Scout and Bambi II, a true classic look.

We all need “Options” in life!

You got to love the optional bunk bed in the 1968 trailer line. If you had a 24’ or 26’ foot twin with bunks in the rear, plus a bunk in the front, that would give you the “Big Family” trailer for seven. The only thing, your black tank would be full in no time! Better carry the 35gal. “Blue Boy” for a trailer like that one.

Region 2 VAC Rallies

We are currently working on an “East Coast Vintage Rally” to be held the 3^rd weekend of June 19^th-23^rd (Thurs-Monday) in 2008. As of now, we are looking at the “Staunton, Virginia area for the rally. There are many things to do and see in this part of Virginia. We are hoping by having the rally in the central part of Virginia (off I-81), we will pull from the many VAC members up and down the East Coast, which includes Region 1, 2 and 3. Remember, “any” WBCCI member can attend “any” WBCCI VAC rally. So, you don’t have to be a member of the “VAC” to join us in the fun.

The plan is to have a weekend of relaxing fun and maybe even learn about something about the trailers we know and love. I will be posting more details about the place later this month, so stay tune! Just for the record, for those who wish to attend both the “East Coast Vintage Rally” and the WBCCI International rally, you can leave Sunday and have plenty of time to make. On a side note, if you are interested in helping out with the rally, let me know.

Just “KIDDING” around

Like Airstreams and old cars go together, so do Airstreams and Kids young and old. One of the favorite things for anyone who owns and Airstream to see are kids running around having fun. For some of you 2^nd and 3^rd generation Airstreamer’s, do you remember having this much fun??

From, Perry, Ga. to Potter County, Pa., an Airstream kid always seems to have FUN!!!

From the “End-Cap”

A “Back-End” shot of Colin Hydes vintage trailer as he heads down I-20 west bound for the 2007 WBCCI International Rally in Perry, Ga.

Hope you've enjoyed the first of what I hope to be many more "News and Views" from office of Region 2,  VAC headquarters. If you have a question, comment, idea for a story or anything having to doing with the use of our Airstreams, drop us a line!

Until Next Time,

Paul Waddell

Region 2 VAC Guy