Casas Adobes, AZ Outdoor Activities

In addition to her regular flight preparations, Foolish Pleasure Hot Air Balloon Rides’ co-owner Lorrie Ewer sometimes checks off a second midflight list: whether or not her passengers take each other, to have and to hold, for as long as they both shall live. As an ordained officiant, she can legally conduct marriage ceremonies beneath the teal, pink, and cerulean balloon that she and her husband, Dan, initially bought to fly for pleasure but have since turned into a thriving business.

The Ewers shuttle passengers over the area’s most scenic vistas, such as the Tucson Mountains, Avra Valley, and Saguaro National Park, many of which boast views of local wildlife. After the flight, guests eat a continental breakfast and sip champagne as Lorrie and Dan email each person a set of photos taken during the trip, plus the phone number of the cloud that stole their heart.

Since he took his first flight more than 25 years ago, Arizona Balloon Safaris' CEO and FAA–certified pilot, Randy Long, has lifted more than 20,000 passengers into the sky—including celebrities such as Shakira. Though Mr. Long has flown hot air balloons across both states and parallel dimensions, he calls the Sonoran Desert his home base. As the sun paints an orange glow across the desert's rocky bluffs at dawn, Mr. Long and his passengers ascend up to 3,000 feet into the air. From here, the pilot points out the desert's plants and wildlife, such as coyotes, roadrunners, and jackrabbits. He ends each flight the same way; back on the ground, he pours his passengers some champagne, congratulates them on earning their wings, and starts thinking about the next day's adventure.

The FAA-certified commercial pilots at the helm of Southern AZ Balloons have glided groups across Tucson for more than two decades. During aerial adventures, the luxurious, wind-blown aircraft float as low as the treetops and as high as 3,000 feet. Varying heights present extravagant photographic opportunities, including of mountain ranges and of Catalina. Finally, after travelling anywhere from four to 15 miles, balloons coast to a landing for celebratory champagne brunches.