Ventura County Star
By James Glover

A slight morning breeze pushes a six-passenger hot-air balloon toward the ocean in total silence.

"I never dreamed it would be this quiet up here," says Luann McKenzie, a passenger aboard the balloon.

Then pilot Justin Wilkinson sends a flame upward into the balloon.

With a roar, the burning gas warms the air, causing the balloon to climb.

The aircraft is flying over Santa Paula and the pilot points out lemon orchards, avocado trees and some historic houses. The land below is owned by the Limoneira Co., which has been part of the citrus industry in Santa Paula since 1893.

The flight is part of its agritourism program called Limoneira Tours.

Limoneira has always done tours of its properties, but usually they were reserved for executives from Sunkist or other special guests.

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