“A hot air balloon is set up before a ride above the Coachella Valley with WTA player Lucie Safarova in Indian Wells, California Monday, March 3, 2014.”“WTA player Lucie Safarova takes a ride in a hot air balloon above the Coachella Valley in Indian Wells, California Monday, March 3, 2014.”“WTA player Lucie Safarova takes a ride in a hot air balloon above the Coachella Valley in Indian Wells, California Monday, March 3, 2014.”“An aerial view of California’s Coachella Valley is shown from a hot air balloon Monday, March 3, 2014.”“Camila Giorgi hits a forehand during a qualifying much against Irina Falconi at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California Monday, March 3, 2014.”“Draw chips are shown during the 2014 BNP Paribas Open WTA Draw Ceremony at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California Monday, March 3, 2014.”“Jelena Jankovic is introduced during the 2014 BNP Paribas Open WTA Draw Ceremony at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California Monday, March 3, 2014.”“The sun sets over the grounds of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California Monday, March 3, 2014.”
What a fantastic day!
Riding in a hot air balloon wasn’t necessarily on my bucket list, but it’s neat to say that I can check that off my list. The WTA tennis tour arranged for Czech player Lucie Safarova to take a hot air balloon ride this morning over the Coachella Valley, so I was called to ride along and take photos.
We caught an absolutely perfect morning, and by the time we were airborne the sun had just come up over the horizon. Golden light, a great subject to work with, and beautiful scenery from 2,000 feet in the air made for a happy photographer.
Here is the WTA video from the ride, which will give you a better sense of it all.
After that, it was all the other “run of the mill” stuff – tennis, draw ceremonies, and sunsets. A day to remember.
