Balloon Above Blue Waters

I captured this shot during my balloon ride with LakeTahoeBalloons.com.

The yellow balloon, decorated with red flowers, floated above the calm waters of Lake Tahoe, its reflection creating a mirror image so perfect it felt unreal. The deep blues of the lake and the bright colors of the balloon clashed in harmony, like a painting in motion.

The journey started before sunrise at Tahoe Keys Marina. I boarded the Tahoe Flyer, the only boat in the world where balloons launch and land. Watching the balloon inflate on the deck as we cruised across the lake was already magical. Soon, we lifted off, and silence took over. From above, I saw Emerald Bay, Fallen Leaf Lake, and the rugged Desolation Wilderness. On clear days, you can even spot Yosemite—150 miles away.

Before returning, we even skimmed the lake’s surface, dipping low enough to get our shoes wet—a playful reminder that we were floating at nature’s mercy. Then we landed smoothly back on the deck, and the crew welcomed us with a champagne toast. Four hours passed in a flash, but the feeling of floating between sky and water stayed with me.

Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America, is already breathtaking from the ground. But drifting high above it, carried by nothing but air, was something else entirely. If you’re ever near Tahoe, I can’t recommend this experience enough.