NATCHEZ — It’s a bird, it’s a plane, wait, is that a nun?

Looking up at the sky on Saturday, area residents and tourists from all over were sure to see balloons filling the sky, but a lucky few were able to see 74-year-old Gemma Dittle above the Earth, giving her the title of Natchez’s flying nun.

Dittle, a nun who works at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, attended the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race for the first time and was given the opportunity for her first ride in a balloon as well.

“Just to be able to see the wide, expansive view while being up in the air was incredible,” she said. “It’s something you can’t get while you’re on the ground.”

Dittle said she has seen hot-air balloons before at other events, but she had never thought of going up on one.

“I never thought I would be able to say I went up in a hot-air balloon,” she said. “But I did, and I’m glad I went through with it.”

Dittle rode with pilots Robert and Sally Lupton from Albuquerque, N.M.

“They decided they didn’t want to compete in the competition but rather give people short rides in their balloon,” she said. “I really appreciate them. This is their 20th anniversary flying, and I admire them for giving people this experience.”

Dittle said while she was up in the air, she was amazed at all of the balloons around her.

“There was so much beauty and gracefulness in the flight,” she said. “And to see them with all the different colors and varieties was impressive.”

Dittle said the flight was not the only impressive thing about her balloon race experience.

“There was so much camaraderie among everyone here,” she said. “I have never been any place where people are so friendly and generous and make you feel at home.”

Coming back for another race is something Dittle said she can’t wait to do.

“I would like a longer ride next time,” she said. “It is an experience you really don’t want to miss.”

Dittle said if you are given the opportunity to ride in a hot-air balloon, you should take it.

“You only live once, and you may never get this chance again; you better go,” she said. “It is so calm and peaceful, the view is pretty and it was just really awesome.”