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Sunday, July 6, 2008

Oregon to Idaho by Balloons and a Lawn Chair

That's one way to save on gas: but this low-carbon-footprint vehicle may not be entirely practical.

"Lawn-chair balloonist flies from Oregon to Idaho"
CNN (July 6, 2008)

Kent Couch went 235 miles (roughly 370 kilometers) on zero gallons of gasoline. All he needed was a green lawn chair, over 150 giant party balloons, a lot of helium and a little cherry-flavored Kool-Aid, a BB gun, and some other equipment. Two more things: the right winds, and a parachute.

His wife says he's crazy: "It's never been a dull moment since I married him." (CNN)

Still, he made the trip safely, at a leisurely pace of a little over 25 miles an hour: The flight lasted about nine hours.

And, Mr. Couch had the good sense to pack a parachute.

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