If you'll hold my hand we'll chase your dream across the sky, for we can fly ! Lyrics by Jimmy Webb, 1960's

We stayed around a while to let the crowds disperse and to watch the crews prepare to transport the balloons. There were two balloons, US Bank and State Farm, which were allowed to land on site and I think were piloted by members of the Troutman family. Clara took our picture with the two balloons in the background- really there are 2 balloons.

The crews are walking/floating the balloons over toward the blacktop.

Black and yellow tarp has been laid on the parking lot.

The crews began to prepare the burners, baskets and balloons for transporting. How do they deflate one of these 2 to 3 story balloons? They literally squeezed the air out.

One crew member (pilot)? from his/her position in the basket used a "zip line" of some sort to open the deflation system in the top of the balloon to let the air out.

The crew then carefully tipped the basket and laid the balloon on its side on the tarp, which served as a ground cover to protect the skin of the balloon.

Basket is tipped.

Crew members begin to squeeze out the air beginning at the basket and working toward the top.

At the same time others of the ground team attended to the top of the balloon to help pull the sides in as the air is forced out. More pulling, yanking and tugging from the team at the top.

Crew has already deflated the wide white band and ready to tackle the last (4) red/white/red/white colorful stripes at the top.

Deflating the very top in readiness to stuff into the travel bag for transporting in the van/truck along with the ground tarp, basket and burners. The whole process took all of 15 minutes at the most.

 Below is link to 5th Dimension song "Up Up and Away"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5akEgsZSfhg