Custer author’s book takes flight

Did you know that the Stratobowl near Rockerville played an important part in the space race?

Those and other interesting tidbits of history can be found in “Balloons Aloft: Flying South Dakota Skies,” a book written by Custer author Arley Fadness and published by Xulon Press.

“Balloons” is an often first-person account of the many successes – and failures – of the various hot air balloons and other crafts such as both SkyLab missions, which left from the Stratobowl and helped pave the way for space travel.

Fadness introduces readers to ballooning legend Ed Yost, often referred to as the father of modern hot air balloons and an inventor of the same. Fadness draws upon his experience after a career spent as Yost’s draftsman, balloon society liaison and longtime personal friend, as he takes the reader back through the interesting history of hot air balloon flights.

The book is best described as an historical overview that also includes colorful aeronauts, daring adventures and stories of science, as hot air balloons first probed the stratosphere.

“Balloons Aloft: Flying South Dakota Skies” is available at Black Hills Books and Treasures in Hot Springs. Fadness will also be doing a book signing at the Hot Springs Public Library, from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8 and is scheduled to be a presenter at next January’s Fall River History Conference.

Buy “Balloons Aloft: Flying South Dakota Skies” on Amazon

via – Hot Springs.