I Live in Washington and This Is the Exhilarating Outdoor Adventure To Celebrate Spring

Spring has finally arrived, though in Washington, the seasons tend to muddy together ... literally. Let's just say if the saying holds true that "April showers bring May flowers," then nature owes us a serious bloom. Yet, amid the familiar drizzle are breaks of brilliant sunshine — enough to shake me out of my winter rut and remind me that there's a whole world waiting beyond my little burrow.

This spring, embrace what's new by seeing Washington's stunning landscape from a whole new perspective. Located just outside Burien, this hot air balloon experience will hoist you high above it all, allowing you to soar over the breathtaking place we call home. There's no better way to chase the sun then being in the clouds!

Your adventure begins at the designated pick-up location, where you'll rendezvous with your hot air balloon pilot, Eliav. After piling into his car — your unlikely aircraft in tow — you'll set out for the day's launch site. There, you'll get a front-row seat to the fascinating process of preparing for liftoff.

If all this sounds like a snooze, trust me, it isn't. The transformation is mesmerizing. What starts as a seemingly nondescript heap of fabric gradually swells into a 150,000-cubic-foot aircraft. And as it takes shape, so does the realization that this will be your vessel into the sky.

The sheer improbability of hot air balloon travel is part of its undeniable magic. By some trick of flame, fabric, and air, you'll soon be floating thousands of feet above the ground you're now standing on.

Next, it's time to step into the basket and take flight! Unlike other hot air balloon rides, Eliav doesn't simply hover above your launch site. Instead, reaching altitudes of up to 4,700 feet, you'll be coasting along the twists and turns of White River. Gliding through the sky, you'll drink in jaw-dropping views of Mount Rainier, the Olympics, Puget Sound, and Seattle — all illuminated by fiery sunset hues. And keep your eyes peeled! During your hour-long excursion, there's a chance you'll spot a Bald Eagle fishing in the river below or even soaring at eye level, a rare and awe-inspiring sight from this incredible vantage point.

Though the time will fly, you'll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and take photos before landing. To help ease the transition back to land and to duly celebrate your new status as aeronauts, Eliav arranges for a champagne toast, served alongside some delicious baked goods. It's the perfect way to end your spring adventure!

Spring is all about renewal — and that includes new perspectives. If you're looking for a way to ring in the season in Washington, I can't think of a better way than soaring among the clouds in a hot air balloon. Thousands of feet in the air, you'll see the gorgeous landscape we call home from a whole new vantage point, and you won't even have to lace up your hiking boots to get there.