Last updated 7/5/2026   5:02:57

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Shooting the Gap

Flying a Hot Air Balloon thru the Delaware Water Gap


Flying a hot air balloon thru the Delaware Water Gap is challenging to say the least. It is an extremely beautiful trip, but is not for the beginner balloon pilot. You need to understand a lot about wind currents, and how far you can push your own limits. You also have to believe that the wind isn't going push you into the cliff. It is a fantastic flight, or a nerve racking experience. In either case, it is a flight you will never forget.
"Shooting the Gap" is described in the book Joy of Ballooning by George Denniston. The description is very good, and makes you want to try it.

May 5, 2007



Right after liftoff

Picture by Bart Geentiens


And they're off

Picture by Bart Geentiens


Bart out in front, looking back at the rest of the pack

Picture by Bart Geentiens


Heading into the mouth of the gap

Picture by Jessie Mazzocchi


Lou in the Gap

Jon down in the gap, near the water

Picture by Nick Blaser


Bart in the last turn

Picture by RJ Letrent


Mazzocchi

Picture by RJ Letrent


On the way out

Picture by RJ Letrent


May 7, 2006



Marybeth & Jon at takeoff, just above the Shawnee Inn

Picture by Ken Loesser


Mark & Jon shortly after takeoff, looking back towards golf course

Picture by David Lee


Uli entering into the mouth of the dragon

Picture by Julie Lynch


Near the Toll Booths looking towards NJ

Picture by Julie Lynch


Looking back towards PA

Picture by Julie Lynch


Uli Over the river

Picture by Julie Lynch


Uli Over the river

Picture by Julie Lynch


Uli Over the river

Picture by Julie Lynch


Looking back at the other balloons

Picture by Julie Lynch


Half way thru?

Picture by Julie Lynch


Yet another bend in the river

Picture by Julie Lynch


Island in the river, looking down stream

Picture by Julie Lynch


Still another bend

Picture by Julie Lynch


Most of the way thru

We are out! looking back....

Picture by Julie Lynch


Keith & Uli out over the river and into the gap

Picture by Kenny Adamsbaum


Marybeth, Keith & Uli

Picture by Kenny Adamsbaum


Mark, Marybeth, Keith , Uli

Picture by Kenny Adamsbaum


Keith & Marybeth

Picture by Kenny Adamsbaum


Aerial Views of the Delaware Water Gap



Maps of the tracks of our flights
Red X is high point of each track



GapDY= Dick & Marybeth, GapUK= Uli, GapKS= Keith, GapJR= Jon, GapMS= Mark

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"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards,
for there you have been and there you will long to return."

- Leonardo da Vinci

"It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill."
- Wilbur Wright

"Ballooning is a philosophy of life. You're a prisoner of the wind. You can swear, shout, pray, cry - and it doesn't matter.
But if you change your altitude, you can go a different direction"

- Bertrand Piccard

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away."
- Will Smith

"A jack of all trades is a master of none,
but oftentimes better than a master of one."

-William Shakespeare

"Time is the most valuable gift you can give someone"
- Unknown




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Created 5/8/2006
Modified 7/5/2026
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