Hello from Ireland. Delighted to see on the internet all your photos of the first day of The Great Prosser Balloon Rally. I am from Ireland and have friends in Prosser who are involved in the rally. They gave me a surprise balloon ride in the rally in 2005 for my birthday while I was visiting Prosser. I had the most wonderful experience with my two balloon rides.

I still treasure my memories and time in the beautiful Washington state (the real Washington).

So, while I cannot be with everybody in Prosser for their 22nd Great Prosser Balloon Rally this year, it is great to read all about the first day of the rally and view all the fabulous photos of the balloons firing up and crossing the Yakima River on the internet courtesy of The Tri-City Herald.

Hi, to Kelly and Brian Carlson, Joy Mount and all the gang in Prosser. I wish I could be with you all this year for the rally. Have a great time. Enjoy!

GERALDINE McCULLAGH, Dundalk, Ireland