In the early days of ballooning (dating from 1783 and the first flight of the Montgulfier brothers) hot air balloons typically landed on rural farmland. The resident farmers attacked the balloons with pitchforks - sometimes, in self defense or out of fear of an encounter with aliens. With the farmlands being the wine country of France, aviators began carrying bottles of champagne onboard their balloons to prove that they were fellow French men, which pacified the locals and farmers upon landing. How could they be evil spirits if they brought good spirits?

So, to celebrate the conclusion of a safe and beautiful flight, and out of respect for tradition, Orlando Balloon Adventures still recites the prayer after each and every flight.

"The winds have welcomed you with softness, The sun has blessed you with it's warm hands, You have flown so high and so well, That God has joined you in your laughter, And set you gently back into The loving arms of Mother Earth." - CHEERS !!!