It took just one day for a balloon to float 147 miles, from the hand of a Piedmont Elementary student to the Horticulture research farm of the University of Georgia in Watkinsville, Ga. The balloon release that took place at PES on Jan. 27 marked the 100th day of school, and to celebrate the occasion students released the balloons along with a small ribbon telling of the event and to please write back if a balloon is found.

Suzzanne Tate, a horticulturist at the University of Georgia’s Department of Horticulture, wrote a letter telling of her discovery. Tate wrote of the kinds of things she does at the farm; studying flowers, trees, shrubs, fruits and vegetables. She also studies ways in which plants can be grown using modern techniques.

“Last year we began working with a special plant that I am sure all of you children love,” wrote Tate. “Particularly around Halloween – Pumpkins.”

Tate included with her letter several pumpkin seeds of a special variety, appropriately “Orange Bulldog” pumpkin seeds. Students will plant the pumpkin seeds around the Fourth of July.

And another balloon was found in Monroe, Ga., by Brittany N. Burnette who wrote, “I found your balloon at our pond behind our house.”