Larry Walters' boyhood dream was to fly. After being rejected from Air Force pilot training due to poor eyesight, he became a truck driver. At age 33, inspired by jets overhead, he devised an unusual plan.
He purchased 42 weather balloons, filled them with helium, and tied them to a lawn chair. With supplies and a BB gun, he intended to float gently above his backyard. However, when released, he rocketed to 4,000 meters.
Stranded and afraid to pop balloons, he drifted for 14 hours, disrupting air traffic near Los Angeles. He eventually descended by shooting some balloons, landing in power lines, and was arrested. When asked why, he said, "A man just can't sit around." He fulfilled his dream and set a record, but was fined $1,500 for violating air safety regulations.