Ben LipperetJuice Editor

Everyone has a story to tell. Most of these great stories go unheard by the general public because they aren’t considered “news worthy.” Check out The Juice throughout the semester to hear an average student’s story.

This week, The Juice takes a closer look at Adam Peters, a sophomore mechanical engineering major who spent part of his Christmas break in Las Vegas, Nev., for an SDSU collegiate bowling tournament.

When he’s not bowling up a storm, he’s flying hot air balloons hundreds of feet above the South Dakota landscape.

Ben: Tell us what you did over Christmas break. You went to Las Vegas right?

Adam: Yep, as soon as finals were over with I hopped on a plane 8212; spent most of Christmas break in Vegas bowling.

Ben: So what hotel did you stay at while you were in Vegas?

Adam: We stayed unfortunately off The Strip, at Sam’s Town. It was one of the places the tournament was held at.

Ben: So what’s it like being in Vegas over Christmas? Is it kind of weird?

Adam: It’s kind of nice. You look forward to the nice weather before Christmas.

Ben: And how was the weather?

Adam: I believe it was like 50, but it rained a lot, so that’s unfortunate.

Ben: Wasn’t there flash floods or something?

Adam: Yeah, the last two days we were there they were worried about flooding, so I’m glad we got out of there.

Ben: How many years have you bowled for SDSU?

Adam: This is my second year bowling for SDSU.

Ben: Tell me how you got into bowling and what made you want to bowl in college.

Adam: I started bowling probably about ten or twelve years ago. My dad bowls, my two older cousins bowl, my uncle bowls, so it was just something that was natural. And then after high school I decided, “Why not keep bowling?’ I love it, so why not?

Ben: You have another passion. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about ballooning. How did you get involved in that? What is it about, and what do you do exactly?

Adam: I’ve been helping chase or “crew” for this one pilot since I was two years old. My mom started with a lady she used to work with who had this balloon, and she needed help. So my mom said, “Sure, we’ll come out and help, but I’ve got this two year-old (me).” We’ve been helping her since I was two, so that’s 17, going on 18 years now. We just go out there and help her set up, then chase her once she’s up in the air.

Ben: So you guys don’t actually have a balloon?

Adam: No, we don’t have a balloon. We just help her out, and we’ve helped a few other pilots out.

Ben: So it’s just kind of a hobby for you and your family then?

Adam: Yeah it’s just a hobby. It’s something fun to do, just to get out; and not a lot of people do it.

Ben: What is it like going up in a balloon? Is it scary at all with the heights?

Adam: It doesn’t really bother me. You’re going with the wind so there’s no turbulence like there is with planes when you’re going against the wind. So I mean you’re just floating there like a bird.

Ben: So how many flights have you been involved with-either in the balloon or on the ground?

Adam: Oh jeez! Per year I probably get up in the air about three or four times, and I probably help out 30 to 40 times, maybe 50 times a year.

Ben: So is this something you’re interested in doing as a hobby, or as a part-time job?

Adam: I would definitely love to help with balloons. I mean it’s a very small group of people that do it and you always get those looks like, “You do ballooning?” It’s a fun story to tell.

Ben: How long does it take to get set up and ready to launch?

Adam: Once the balloon’s all laid out and you fill it with air, it takes about 20 to 25 minutes. For the ride you’re in the air for about an hour, then it takes about another 20 minutes to pack up.

Ben: What’s it like flying in the winter? Is that even possible?

Adam: Oh yeah, we fly in the winter. The winter is actually more fun; everything is frosted over in the morning, the deer are all huddled up; it’s almost like you’re flying on the moon.

Ben: Do you get paid for ballooning?

Adam: No, we don’t get paid. You can’t put a price on it, and I don’t do it for the money.

Watch a video of the interview on The Collegian’s website.

If you or someone you know would like to have your story in The Collegian, let us know! Send us an email with your story to [email protected].