The Tailwinds balloon lands in the parking lot of the Lewiston Mall Sunday where the chase crew waits to pack up the gear. Chase crews are in communication with the balloon's pilot during the flight and are responsible for anticipating the landing to help stabilize and ground the balloon. Hot air balloons cannot be steered, only raised and lowered by using a propane burner.
Jim Rodrigue offers a champaign toast Sunday after a sucessful landing in the Lewiston Mall parking lot. His crew joining in on the toast from the left are Tim Leeman, then Sara Babcock, and Alley Gagne. In the front is Caden Babcock. A champaign toast is a tradition end to a hot air balloon ride.
Passengers of the Tailwinds balloon get ready to take flight Sunday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Great Falls Balloon Festival. In the basket, from the left are Taylor Hemenway, Jerry Callahan, Elaine Hemenway, and balloon pilot Jim Rodrigue. Sun Journal writer Joaquin Contreras joins the chase crew on the right.
Tailwinds crew deflate the hot air balloon Sunday in the Lewiston Mall parking lot.
Jim Rodrigue, right, leads his crew Sunday. packing up the Tailwinds balloon in the parking lot of the Lewiston Mall. Behind him from the right are Barry Babcock,Tim Leeman, and Jim Bouyea.
The Tailwind balloon rises Sunday morning from Simard Payne Park during the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Jim Rodrigue shows off his tattoed back Sunday in the Lewiston Mall parking lot. Rodrigue estimates he has spent over 400 hours and 20,000 dollars over the years on his tattoos, many of which are balloon themed.
The Tailwinds balloon flies Sunday morning over Auburn during the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Balloons drift over the Androscoggin River Sunday morning during the launch of the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Balloons are reflected in the Androscoggin River during Sunday morning's launch of the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
A balloon flies Sunday morning over Auburn during the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Scenes from the Sunday morning launch of the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Balloons drift over the Androscoggin River Sunday morning during the launch of the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Balloons take off Sunday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Great Falls Balloon Festival.
Balloons take off Sunday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Great Falls Balloon Festival.
Balloons take off Sunday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Great Falls Balloon Festival.
Balloons take off Sunday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Great Falls Balloon Festival.
Balloons take off Sunday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Great Falls Balloon Festival.
Balloons take off Sunday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Great Falls Balloon Festival.
The Tailwinds balloon takes off Sunday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Great Falls Balloon Festival.
Balloons take off Sunday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Great Falls Balloon Festival.
Balloons take off Sunday morning from Simard Payne Park in Lewiston during the Great Falls Balloon Festival.
The Tailwinds balloon drifts over Auburn during the Sunday morning launch of the Great Falls Balloon Festival.
A crew member helps inflate a ballon Sunday morning launch during the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Scenes from the Sunday morning launch of the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
A balloon floats Sunday morning during the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Balloons drift over the Androscoggin River Sunday morning during the launch of the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
The Tailwind balloon floats Sunday morning launch during the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
A balloon floats Sunday morning during the Great Falls Balloon Festival in Lewiston.
Balloons from the Sunday morning launch of the Great Falls Balloon Festival dip into the Androscoggin River.
Lewiston-Auburn 
