Most hot air balloons come back down safely, but a recent crash in Eloy left four dead and one critically injured. More: 4 dead, 1 injured in hot air balloon crash in Eloy.

In Dawn McKenzie’s free time, she soars high above the ground in a hot air balloon, as she has since she got her FAA-issued ballooning license when she was 19.

Steven Moity joined balloon crews at festivals in Albuquerque and the Adirondacks, where he took his first hot air balloon ride this fall. Published Dec. 1, 2023 Updated Dec. 4, 2023; ...