I moved to Quechee at the age of 3, and was lucky to have balloons flying overhead as long as I can
remember. I started crewing for the “Bearship” the big yellow balloon with a teddy bear complete with
bow tie, piloted by Andre Boucher. I always found ballooning magical, but one year a cluster balloon
(uses multiple big helium balloons instead of hot air) came to the Quechee balloon fest, and I can
remember watching him release water to go up and popping his balloons one by one to come down, it
was that moment I decided I wanted to be a balloon pilot. Andre and his son Jason would teach me how
to fly, and I got my license at 19. My first balloon was “Jackie” the “pumpkin” balloon that flew over
Quechee for many years. This year I am very excited to begin flying a beautiful balloon “Sea Glass”
above the Vermont’s rolling green hills.