Having lived in Pittsfield for about 20 years now, I have to admit, I don't always go down to see the balloons...and I live less than half a mile from town! But on Saturday, the weather was great and we ventured down in the morning at about 10 a.m. to see what was going on.
Well, the first thing we noticed was that the jewelry and other vendors had all been relocated down by the river instead of squashed up by the front gates. What an improvement! It was nice and shady down there and the tents all lined up made a pretty country scene. And the vendors are always so nice. I bought a beautiful turquoise necklace and earring set at a very affordable price. And I met up with the cloth purse lady, whom I'd bought from a couple of years ago. She recognized the purse I had slung on my shoulder as one of hers! I bought another one just because they're so handy and stylish.
I missed the guy from Suncook Canoes. Maybe he's out of business or just doesn't go there anymore, but he used to rent kayaks there real cheap as a promotional thing. It was great fun for the kids, getting in a kayak and paddling up and down the river for a while. It was great fun for me too, and everyone was always so nice helping an old person like me, actually getting into one of those things without landing in the drink! Someday I'm going to buy a kayak-been saying that for years now.
The helicopters were there, as usual. The noise doesn't bother me so much anymore. And I do envy the people who have the guts to actually go up in one! The ride takes them right over my house-I'm located just where they turn around to go back to the park. So even when I'm not downtown, I get a little taste of the activities, right here at home-about every 15 minutes for two days straight!
And this year the wind was just right. The balloons gracefully went airborne and then glided right across the river, their reflections vivid in the still water. Could not have been nicer, and what a photo op! I got some great shots, and I hope the other photographers lined up along the river did too.
My diet went bust as we visited the food vendors and settled on a BBQ pork sandwich with fries. There were lots of choices for good things to eat, and the lines went fast. And it did seem like the trailers were spaced out a little more and had more room than in previous years.
Not to complain too much, but I wished there was more parking, because I sure walked a lot that day-so much that I was too beat to go down that night and see the fireworks. My kids told me they were fantastic! You might know. And I felt bad for all the people in wheelchairs as their companions tried to push them across the damp, sometimes muddy grass. Could there have been plywood ramps or something for those folks? And there are never enough places to just sit and enjoy your food or the sights, unless you want to park it down on the wet grass someplace. Think the organizers could have set up a section with bunches of tables and chairs somewhere. Maybe one of the organizers will read this and get the hint! But, all in all, it was a fun day, I'm glad the weather held, and I'm glad I went!