Both used weekends to participate in as many local balloon events as possible. In fact, it was at one of these events in 1993 that they met for the first time. After Gary landed in a field where Diana and other crewmembers were packing another balloon, it was discovered that both balloon systems would have to be lifted out of the field over a barbed wire fence -- a real team effort!
The two were married in May of 1995 and continued to operate Wanderlust Balloons from their home in Indiana. Then, in 1996, following Gary's retirement from GM, they chose to leave the midwest and relocate to Arizona. And for the next six years (1997 - 2002) were given the rare and enviable opportunity of flying and traveling with The Gr-r-reat Tony Balloon for the Kellogg Company -- what a fun job!
Over the years Gary has enjoyed flying different Special Shape balloons including "Oggy" the Sea Monster, Mr. Winter (snowman), Miss Daisy (daisy, of course), Joey & Lilly - The Little Bees, and most recently, the newest addition to their own balloon family, Woodrow C. Greenleaf (Amazon rainforest tree).
In their years together, ballooning has taken Gary and Diana to many new and exciting venues around the world -- Mexico, Canada, Japan, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand. And, with the addition of Woodrow and continuing shared "lighter than air" experiences with visitors and residents of the Lake Havasu City area, it remains an important part of their lives.
2008 AIBF with our friendly "Zebra"
Gary and Diana have both been ballooning for many years, in fact, it's how they met. Gary, who took his first ride in 1989 at the Oldsmobile Balloon Classic, in Danville, IL was hooked immediately! He purchased a used balloon system and began lessons in 1991. By 1992 he had achieved his commercial Pilot's License and started Wanderlust Hot Air Balloons, then a sideline to his fulltime job at General Motors.
Diana began her fascination with hot air ballooning in 1991 while employed at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. After accepting an invitation from a friend to join the local balloon club, she also became hooked!
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