A couple who recently got engaged while floating in a hot air balloon has an epic story to tell their grandkids. Eric Barretto had been with his girlfriend on the sunset ride when suddenly the balloon ventured over the water near Cardiff by the Sea, located in California.
A couple who recently got engaged while floating in a hot air balloon has an epic story to tell their future grandkids. Eric Barretto and his girlfriend were enjoying the sunset ride when suddenly the balloon headed out over the water near Cardiff-by-the-Sea in California.
That may have been scenic, but it was actually a problem as the pilot couldn’t direct the balloon back towards the shore. Minutes after the girlfriend said yes to the proposal, the couple was forced to face the situation which wasn’t getting any better on its own.
Barretto and his new fiancée tossed a rope towards surfers, who pulled the balloon onto the beach. The efforts weren’t quick enough however. The balloon basket landed in the sea and took on water.
The newly engaged couple had to jump in the sea and swim to shore. Fortunately nobody was injured.
Barretto remarked “It's unforgettable. That's all I can say. I don't know if we'll do it again.”
The pilot said he dropped the balloon towards the water after he realized the winds were pushing them to the west. He was hoping the on-shore winds near the beach would help propel them back to land.
