Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-15
DELIGHTED WITH
BALLOON TRIPS
FERRIS GUESTS HAVE MOST
ENJOYABLE VOYAGE
WEATHER MADE TO ORDER AND
FINE VIEWS OBTAINED
United States and American Come to
Earth Again in Early Evening
Hours Without Any
Mishap

| "Ballooning is certainly the finest of
all sports" said Paul Cowles of San
| Francisco, superintendent Of the west
| efn division of the Associated Press,
after. his trip in the balloon United
| States yesterday afternoon. There is
| infinitely more pleasure in 1t than in
any other experience 1 have had, and,
| to MY mind a balloon trip is a great
/ deal safer than riding in an automo-
bile. This was my first trip. but l most
! assuredly hope it will not be the last.
Il had no idea of the beautiful pano-
rama to be seen, and 1 found every mo-
ment Of the trip delightful There was
no sensation other than one of abso-
lutte safety. When my legs became tired
from standing [ sat on the edge of the
basket, and thought no more about it
than if the basket had been resting on
the ground. At no time did have any
unpleasant sensation"
The. United States and American, the
Ferris racing balloons, were sent away
from the Chutes park balloon grounds
by the California Aeronautic society
yesterday afternoon. The American
was piIoted by Captain "A. E. Mueller,
who took w. D. Fuller, observer of the
weather bureau, J. D. Minister of the
Times, and Bruce Moore of the Ex-
aminer. Roy Knabenshue piloted the
United States, with Mr.. COwles and G..
B. Harrison of The Herald as passen-
gers. -.1--
The United States left the grounds at
3:20 O'Clock, and the American followed
ten minutes later. The former went to
an altitude of 1900 feet, and after hang
ing some time over Los Angeles was
directed south to, within three miles Of
Long Beach. Here Mr.. Knabenshue
brought it down to within 200 feet of
the ground in search for an easterly
going current.
Both Land Safely
After travelling to Orange a landing
was made three and a half miles north
east Of Santa Ana between the orange
groves of E. G. H. Franzen and r. B.
Johnson at $40 o'clock. The balloon
was left on the ground after defiation
and Mr.. Knabenshue will bring it in
| this morning.
Captain Mueller took his party back
| and forth over Los Angeles for two
hours, and then let the balloon go east
ward. A descent was made at Los
Nietos at 1925 o'clock, and the balloon
was hitched to a tree by the drag rope.
| The Americans passengers returned to
Los Angeles, but Captain Mueller re-
mained with the balloon.
Dick Ferris and John B. Elliott, dis
! trict manager of the Associated Press,
will go out early this morning and will
endeavor to return to Los Angeles with
Captain Mueller in the American. BY
making an early start they expect to
have no trouble in coming back, but
may find the day favorable to longer
trip.
when we get up I think we shall like
it so well that we may go to Riverside
and return in the afternoon said Dick
Ferris. ST am anxious to be able to say
that have made an extended balloon
trip around Los Angeles in the middle
of winter as .1
Panorama Magnificent
Passengers in the balloons yesterday
| could see considerably beyond Santa
Catalina island, easily making out San
Clemente and the Santa Barbara is
lands. They looked over the Santa
Monica mountains and were able to see
the San Fernando valley and several
ranges beyond, including the higher
mountains capped with snow. All the
land between the mountains and the
sea was laid out like a huge diagram,
with Los Angeles and the various
smaller places easily discernible.
The United States and American will
probably be sent up again next Sun
day with passengers who make reser-
VationS with the California Aeronautic
society, which has opened an office at
ChuteS park. Mr.. and Mrs. Dick Fer
ris plan to make an ascension as soon
as the wet weather ends, perhaps next
week. "I am wild to make a trip said
Mrs. Ferris yesterday, "but 1 don't
want to walk back in the mud