Sign Up  /  Login

Katie's Hot Air Balloon LbNA #28220

Owner:Hart x6
Plant date:Jan 13, 2007
Location:
City:Rock Island
County:Rock Island
State:Illinois
Boxes:1
Found by: IAfarmgirl
Last found:Jul 30, 2008
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFaa
Last edited:Jan 13, 2007
My daughter, Katie (age 4), had an opportunity to ride on a hot air balloon this summer. The balloon was tethered to the ground and took 3 people at a time up, then back down, then the next three.

Katie patiently waited in line with her "grammy" for their turn to go. People in front of them went up and waved and Katie's excitment increased. When it was finally HER turn to go, it was explained that the wind had picked up to much and they could no longer "safely" go up.

Katie's heart was broken.

The next day they would be giving rides again and I debated wether or not to even try (I didn't want to break my daughter's heart again). I finally decided that we had to at least try.

We got in line 45 minutes before the line was to even start -- I wanted to do everything in my power to see her in the balloon . . . we had to be first if we wanted any chance at all.

My little girl danced and sang, to everyone's amusement. But, it wasn't looking good -- the wind was actually worse this time than it was the day before when they canceled.

I told Katie to pray and ask that God would calm the winds down so that we could go up. I figured either God would answer my little girls (and my) prayer or she would learn a lesson that God doesn't always answer our prayers with a "yes."

Wouldn't you know it but the winds died down and we were the first ones on!!

Everyone on the grounds clapped and cheered (after being in line for more than 2 hours everyone knew our story of the day before). Katie was jumping up and down waving at everyone on the ground. My eyes welled up, and with a lump in my throat I thanked God for this wonderful moment.

This letterbox commemorates this hot summers day that God answered my little girls prayers.

This box has a hand carved stamp, bring your own stamp pad.

Start at Immanuel Lutheran Church & School located at 3300 24th Street in Rock Island. Park on the gravel lot near the play gound.

You will see a yellow "Drug Free Zone" sign go there. Straight back from the sign is a tire swing with two trees behind it -- go to the larger of the two trees (this is the tree that Katie and I waited under for our turn).

Take a compass reading of 250 degrees and you will see, through the swing set, a dead tree -- well, half of one anyway.

At the base of the dead tree you will find Katie's Hot Air Balloon hidden behind, and under some tree remains.

Please DON'T look for this stamp during school hours, as this is a private school and the kids can see you out the window. Thanks.