LEWISTON

Jim Rodrigue’s Androscoggin Balloon Adventures will provide you with a whole new perspective on leaf peeping in Maine.

Androscoggin Balloon Adventures is based in Lewiston, where Jim Rodrigue lives and the sights — on the ground or in the clouds — are endlessly pastoral and filled this time of the year. From 6,000 feet, one can see the most beautiful panoramic views of foliage, surrounding mountains and the ocean.

Rodrigue began his adventures with hot air ballooning in 1996 when he met Bill Whidden, a Florida resident who came to Maine for the Great Falls Balloon Festival. He introduced Rodrigue to hot air ballooning when he invited him to go ahead and put his hands on “the triggers” — or propane burners, as they are officially known.

“As soon as I did,” Rodrigue SAID, “my wife looked at my face and said, ‘Oh, no.’ She knew I was hooked, and in 1996, I had my first lesson. In 2000, I got my commercial license.”

Hot air balloon takeoffs have come a long way since 1783 when the inaugural flight of the Montgolfier brother’s balloon took off in Versailles, France. and lifted 6,562 feet into the air. Today, enthusiasts number in the thousands.

Recently, I had the opportunity to fly in Jim’s hot air balloon called “Tailwinds.”

Rodrique inflated a black balloon from a tank at the back of his truck, tied a knot in it and let it go. As the balloon ascended into the clouds, everyone kept their eye on it.

“This is the best way to see which way the currents were moving and what the wind is doing,” he said.

His truck carried the oversized “basket” that would ultimately accommodate me and two skydivers: Leslie Cox from Sumner and Sam Ackley of Minot.

“Normally, I would jump out of planes but I jumped out of Jim’s balloon before and he was right on target for the landing,” said Cox. “I figured I would try it again and bring a friend.”

I was surprised to see how roomy the interior area was, considering there were now four of us inside along with three large propane tanks.

“Every time someone goes out of the basket, the balloon will jump slight and ascend,” said Rodrique. “When this happens, we will need to stabilize before the next jumper leaves and you should hold on to the leather grips next to you.”

As Rodrique filled the balloon with hot air, we began to lift off. Objects and people began to get smaller and smaller in a matter of seconds. At 600 feet, the mountains and ocean came into view, and the foliage was a beautiful mosaic of fall color.

Once we hit 6,000 feet, it was time for the first skydiver to exit. Cox was first out.

Before he left, I asked him what was on his mind.

“Breakfast,” said Cox and over he went.

Sam Ackley wasted no time getting up on the rim of the basket and when he leapt, he went down backwards. Then, only Rodrique and I remained for the descent.

“Tickling the trees is a way to slow the basket down,” said Rodrique.

Sure enough, the tops of the trees gently scraped the bottom of the basket as we headed for Bob and Ella Mae Packard’s open field.

Benjamin Franklin perhaps said it best when he wrote to Sir Joseph Banks of the Royal Society of London:

“They lit gently, without the least shock, and the balloon was very little damaged,” wrote Franklin.

For more information, email [email protected], or call him at 783-4574.

FRAN MILSOP is a freelance writer based in Bath.