Kathy goes sailing over Switzerland

Kathy spent a few days in Switzerland recently visiting with some friends, and was in the town of Chateau-d'Oex during its annual International Festival of Balloons.

Although snow storms canceled some of the festival's events, the weather cleared up in time for Kathy to take a balloon ride high above the hilly countryside and looking out at the Alps.

Although she expected to be nervous -- if not terrified -- Kathy says she felt surprisingly safe and relaxed.

"In a way it's like sailing, moving along with the air currents," Kathy said, adding that it was very quiet and peaceful aloft.

Here's an album of photos from Kathy's amazing ride.