Anxiously Waiting
Stinky paces nervously around the teleportation tunnel. As usual, he is anxious for Periwinkle’s arrival. He’s hoping she didn’t get too freaked out by last night’s fireworks and is hiding in the closet at home. It seems to take forever, but finally Periwinkle comes tumbling out of the tunnel with the usual whoosh. The tabbies share lots of whisker kisses and paw hugs before Stinky leads Periwinkle back into the tunnel. When they emerge, they are in a huge field.
Balloons Over Rockbridge, Lexington, VA
Periwinkle looks around and sees colorful balloons everywhere. She asks Stinky if they are going on another balloon ride like they did on their April, 14, 2020, adventure “Flying High”?
“Yes and no,” he replies. Stinky continues, “I heard on the television that they need volunteers for the event and thought it would be a cool thing for us to do. Balloons Over Rockbridge is a non-profit community group that helps raise funds and awareness for local charities and non-profits through its annual festival.1 I think when we finish with our volunteering duties, we’ll be able to take a ride.”
“Oh goody,” replies Periwinkle. “I certainly enjoyed our last balloon ride.”
“Me too. Let’s go ask those two men what we can do to help.”
“Okay.”
“It seems they need us to help hold the ropes while they test this balloon,” says Stinky.
“That got a little warm being so close to the fire,” exclaims Periwinkle. “Let’s go out in the field and see what they need.”
“Good idea,” replies Stinky.
Stinky tells Periwinkle, “They just need us to be spotters and meoyowl really loudly if any balloons get too close together. That should be easy and much cooler. Plus, we’ll be able to see lots of the balloons in the air. There are 19 balloons this year. The most ever.”
Suddenly, Periwinkle shouts, “Stinky, come quickly. This nice man has asked if we will help him check if his balloon is ready to offer some tethered rides.”
Up in the Air
Stinky starts sprinting in the direction of Periwinkle. They are helped into the balloon and are soon floating in the air.
“Stinky, this is an absolutely purrfect day for ballooning,” exclaims Periwinkle, clapping her paws together.
Stinky points out two really pretty balloons floating high above them, and both tabbies wave at the passengers.
After their tethered ride, Periwinkle & Stinky walk among the balloons on the ground helping out when asked and making lots of new friends. They discover, however, that the humans have been allowed to bring their doggies to the festival. Though the woofies are required to be on leashes, the tabbies decide it might be a good time to get another ride and this time without a tether.
“Stinky, I just love floating along and seeing the beautiful countryside. Do you think we’ll be able to see your house? Maybe we could fly over and wave at your fursibs.”
Stinky giggles and tells Periwinkle that they are about 50 miles from his house, and he’s pretty sure they won’t be getting close enough for them to see it.
After their ride, the tabbies are watching the balloons when Periwinkle gasps, starts jumping up and down and pointing in the air. “Stinky look what the peeps did for us as a thank you for our help”
“Wow, Periwinkle, that is so cool! We are really lucky kitties to have so many opportunities for fun and adventure.”
Periwinkle and Stinky continue to walk among the crowd and balloons, while avoiding the doggies, helping out wherever and whenever asked. After a while Periwinkle complains about her paws being tired and tells Stinky she is getting hungry.
Snack & Nap Time
Always being prepared, Stinky gets the picnic basket and blanket he brought along and leads Periwinkle to a great place to watch the balloons.
After the tabbies finish their snack, they lie back on their blanket and watch the balloons float by overhead.
Before they know it, Periwinkle and Stinky have fallen into a deep sleep wrapped in each others arms. When they awake, it’s time to return to Stinky’s house, and the tabbies gather up their gear and head to the teleportation tunnel. Within moments they are exiting at Stinky’s house.
After some catio time and a visit with Stinky’s family, it’s time for Periwinkle to head home. The tabbies share oodles of whisker kisses and paw hugs before Stinky leads Periwinkle to the tunnel. With a whoosh and a wave, she is gone.
Realizing he needs another nap, Stinky curls up and sleeps until dinner, dreaming of Periwinkle the entire time.
The End
If you missed Cooper Murphy and Tyebe’s recent balloon trip and Cooper’s poem for Tyebe, check it out at “Up in the Air with Cooper Murphy & Tyebe.”
Stinky & Periwinkle are joining the Happy Tuesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. Why don’t you click on the badge and join them. It’ll be fun!
Note: All photos were taken by Tom Blue and used with permission.
- Information about Balloons Over Rockbridge’s mission is from their website, the link of which is above.
You know, it was a hot air balloon that brought Dorothy and Toto (and the Wizard) back home from Oz! We wonder if Angel Lexi-Toto ever got to ride in one with her Dorothy. In any case, we’re glad you had such fun and were a big help at the event! XOX Xena, Lucy and Chia
That was such a fun adventure! You two even got to RIDE in the balloon. WOW!
The balloons are always so pretty to see, noisy, but very pretty. What an adventure!
That was a fun date. Such beautiful balloons. XO
Wowzers! Mom says one of the most funnest things she ever did was a balloon ride! They were in the air for over 4 hours! I bet you 2 had the bestest time and we are totally wishing we could go,but we are happy beyond belief that you shared it with us!
Purrs
Marv
What a fun adventure ! Glad you took us along on your good time !
GUYZ….thiz iz like de best up in de air knot a burd in site add venturez.!!!
we think it wood bee awesum ta ride a long all sew tho sorree ya couldna
see de blue rezz a dence….but way awesum that a balloon haz yur fotoz
on it….did ewe noe how fast ewe floated a long…if ther iz such a thing az
“speed”. we N joyed thiz post and N joyed all de way kewl baloonz‼️‼️❤️❤️
Oh what a fabulous adventure today. Such fun. I didn’t know the balloons were named though. Cool.
Thank you for joining the Happy Tuesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday. Scritches all around, a smooch to Cooper Murphy and Sawyer and a big hug to mom. ♥
Dear Stinky,
This was a super fun adventure. I loved seeing all the balloons and our balloon ride together was amazing. What fun to have a balloon dedicated to us too!! You are the VERY BEST boyfriend!
Love and whisker kisses,
Periwinkle
WOW! What an adventure – helping out the balloonists was certainly fun but going up in one together again – fabulous. Nice picnic afterwards and a really beautiful way to celebrate the 4th of July. Thanks for “taking us along” !!
Hugs, Teddy
We had balloons like those flying around our city this week, too! Though we didn’t see the kitty one, called Alley Cat…it has black cats on it…nor did we see the Stinky & Periwinkle one either, LOL!
Did you know that each balloon is named?? There was one here called Seventh Heaven. And one called Cynthia Seal, another called Sugar Bear. We saw Hummingbird, PixieStix, Just a Dream, and many others. There were 39 Balloons in this years competition. One year it was an international festival/competition, and there were over 300 balloons.
It was nice of you to volunteer your assistance, Stinky and Periwinkle…and hhow great to be rewarded with a balloon ride!
We did not know balloons are named. That is so cool!
That’s high adventure on all ways! Our kitties are impressed!