We went in search of the Quechee balloon festival on a brilliant summer eve -- only to find ourselves the 10,034th people to have thought of it. We slid by the festivity and curled up on a hillside to watch from anear (it's like afar, but a bit closer). A dainty cloud meandered in moments before launch and her sorority sisters weren't far behind. While beautiful and scattered, like any sorority should be, these atmospheric aberations' flirtations postponed the launch long enough -- as we all waited for yet another Miss Nimbus to stroll by -- that darkness ultimately canceled any arising. Still, it as a delightful evening on a hillside and, naturally, I took a couple photos during the wait ...