SEQUIM — After a successful Balloon Glow event the night before, the third and final day of the Sequim Balloon Festival got off to a late start because of weather conditions. The Hare and Hound hot air balloon race was canceled Monday because of early ground fog and a wind that encouraged the balloons to drift toward the Olympic Mountains, said Susan Hedding, festival spokeswoman and retired balloon pilot.
The fog was low enough that once in the air, the balloonists would have good visibility, but theycouldn’t see the ground to navigate or land, Hedding said.
Some balloon pilots made the choice to take their balloons up late, after the fog had cleared, she said.
The Luna II hot air balloon, one of the balloons whose pilot decided to make the late morning trip, landed about 9 a.m. in a farmer’s field on Meadowmeer Lane, where its chase vehicle helped the pilot and passengers exit.
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
