Sounds Like a Fun Trip

I've always liked flying. A friend of mine has private pilot's license, and has taken me up a few times in a small plane. It's truly an amazing experience; very very different from commercial airliners.

This guy, however, took flying to a whole new level:

Last weekend, Kent Couch settled down in his lawn chair with some snacks — and a parachute. Attached to his lawn chair were 105 large helium balloons.

That just sounds like the coolest thing. Dangerous, yeah, but can you imagine the thrill?

And for an example of the low-tech nature of the enterprise:

With instruments to measure his altitude and speed, a global positioning system device in his pocket, and about four plastic bags holding five gallons of water each to act as ballast — he could turn a spigot, release water and rise — Couch headed into the Oregon sky....

...he used a BB gun to pop the balloons, but he went into a rapid descent and eventually parachuted to safety.

I don't think I would ever try it, but I would have loved to see it!