Each summer East Texas paints the sky with silk and fire when some 80 balloons in the Great Texas Balloon Race lift above the loblollies of Longview. They drift with the wind over the green countryside by day, then light the night with tons of air aflame. This year's event is July 13 through 15, a good weekend to come watch the skies and see what else lies below in Longview and nearby in Kilgore and Tyler.

Friday
Check in for one night at one of two places in Longview: Homewood Suites (rates start at $96; (903)234-0214) at North Spur 63 and U.S. 80 or the Hampton Inn (rates start at $69; (903)758-0959). It's located at Exit 595 beside Estes Parkway (State 149). Toss your bags into the room, pick up picnic supplies at Jason's Deli, and head to the airport, a few miles east of town. Take State 149 to State 322 to Gregg County Airport, the site of the balloon extravaganza (tickets range $2 to $10; (903)237-4000 or www.gtbr.net.

Spread your supper, and await Balloon Glow, a hugely popular event on Friday and Saturday nights. At dusk the crowd counts down "Three, Two, One, Glow!" Balloon burners whoosh, and suddenly the night sky brightens with 200 tons of blazing air, turning balloons into big, multicolored lamps.