Betty Sheffert’s dream of riding a hot air balloon came true! Pictured is Betty taking in the view from around 1,500 feet in the air. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Airplane rides, fishing tours, state parks, and even a trip to see Caitlin Clark play basketball, all are dreams come true at Birkwood Village. Once a month, Executive Director Kaleigh Sieck draws a tenant to grant a wish, this month it was the lovely Betty Sheffert. Betty had dreams of floating high in the sky from the basket of a hot air balloon.

When given the opportunity to try something new she jumped at the opportunity.

Betty and Kaleigh traveled to Indianola to experience their first ride in the open aircraft.

“I thought we’d get there and go, but it was awesome getting to see the balloon getting filled up and ready to fly. That was really interesting,” she said.

After about 20 minutes of anticipation, the balloon was ready to fly.

An overjoyed Betty Sheffert giggles in front of the hot air balloon she wished for! CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Betty had asked Kaleigh how she thought you entered the basket of the balloon. Not thinking much of it, Kaleigh said probably through a door, but this wasn’t quite the case.

“They put a step stool down and you’d get up in there,” she said.

With some assistance from the balloon operator, Betty was loaded into the basket and ready to take flight.

“You felt like you were floating on air, it was so peaceful and quiet up there. Some other people asked how high I was. I told them I wasn’t sure but we were well beyond the trees,” she said.

After her half hour balloon ride, Betty came back down to earth and was thrilled with her experience, even recommending it to others.

Pictured is Birkwood Village Tenant Betty Sheffert, Birkwood Village Executive Director Kaleigh Sieck, and their hot air balloon pilot! CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

“I’d recommend it, if you aren’t scared of heights,” she said.

To top everything off Betty considers this an early birthday present as she will turn the young age of 88 on August 13. At Birkwood Village, a high in the sky dream might not be too far away!