Things You Don’t Usually See On Your Way Home Here in Southeastern Minnesota

Rochester is a very picturesque city, with many developed parks, bike trails and well-manicured landscapes. So it's not unusual to see people out walking their dogs, or going for a run or walk. But what I saw on my way home Wednesday WAS a little more unique.

Yes, that was the scene I encountered as I made my way home from work Wednesday. I spotted the hot air balloon when I was just a few blocks from home, and decided to pull over and take a picture (no distracted driving, mind you...). At the time, the balloon appeared to be lazily floating over Highway-14, west of West Circle Drive. That's the water reservoir on 50th St, near the new Badger Hills Drive in northwest Rochester in the distance.

Hot air balloons are always kind of cool to see-- especially since sightings of them around these parts tend to be a little more rare, thanks to the usually-windy conditions that are often times present in our neck of the woods. It's not the first time we've spotted a hot air balloon near our place, though.

Back during Rochesterfest in June, during the Mayor’s Cup Invitational Hot Air Balloon Race, we were able to see several balloons as they drifted up and away from their launch positions at Badger Ridge Park. They always look so calm and peaceful as they float up and above trees and surrounding landscape.

I'm not sure where Wednesday's balloon ultimately landed, as I lost sight of it once I continued home and couldn't see it anymore from the deck in our backyard. But it was cool to see-- and made the usual drive home a wee bit more interesting!