I liked your metaphor that you can't reach the moon in a hot air balloon.

However, (to continue speaking in metaphors) perhaps a journey in a hot air balloon over beautiful scenery with a loved one is what would make most people happy. Reaching the moon in a rocket, one might be disappointed to find just a barren, airless wasteland.

Thank you for sharing such interesting thoughts.
The search for happiness is, in fact, the opposite of happiness, so as long as we are searching, we will never find it. It truly requires a deep spiritual decision to be happy in the circumstances we are in.