Up Up & Away… and an Ode To Her Bad Mother
When I was in Park City for the EVO Conference, something a few friends learned about me is I am afraid of heights. Not white-knuckles, paralyzing-shrieks-of-fear scared – but enough that my heart beat a hellofa lot faster when Alli asked me to join her on a hot air balloon ride.
I think the fact that I was dragged out of bed almost before the sun clouded by judgment.
Even when the HUMONGOUS balls of air were being inflated I think I still didn’t understand that I would be UP. IN THE SKY. IN A BALL OF AIR.
Not to mention, did you know the FLAMES that power these things are RIGHT THERE. Like IN. YOUR. FACE. Enough for contact burns.
In fact, our guide warned us that when we were on the ground, getting ready, THAT would be the coolest we’d be all morning.
I beg to differ.
Then we lifted up.
3,000 feet in the air.
In a basket.
With several great friends.
With ZERO panic.
I couldn’t believe it.
But it was so peaceful, there was no room for panic. Although, there was room for just about everything else. IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD.
Smooth. Quiet. Magical. Any and all words that come to mind when you are floating in the air above a mountain range with 10 people in total silence. Except for the whispers about how smooth, quiet, and magical it all is.
Some of the friends I made the journey with I’ve known for years, some I just met. All were wonderful companions – but apparently my camera was drawn to one. Catherine. Her Bad Mother.
Certainly it knew what it was doing, since she is a lovely subject.
And a lovely writer. And a lovely person. And a lovely friend.
As we all are.
Thank YOU – for coming to read this blog, and ALL the blogs you do. There is such a sense of community between us all, it’s so real, so strong.
It makes taking those steps, the ones we’re really scared of, SO much easier.
_________________________________________________________
Thanks to Alli, Catherine, Laura, Danielle, Leah, and Jenny for allowing me to tag along.
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oh, dude. that just made me cry. xoxo
I only read a few blogs, but I can totally see what you are saying.
Oh! And AWESOME pics!
This is so completely amazing….you are extraordinary. I LOVED reliving this experience with you via this post. It was a magical morning. And the added bonus? I now KNOW and LOVE you. xoxo
I love when you have photos all through your posts. So awesome. And good for you for getting up there!
Super cool awesomeballs. Good for you. I definitely want to go up in a balloon some time, but even more than that I want to more deeply join in the coolness that is this online community. Lovely words. Lovely photos. Thanks for sharing.
Ahhhh! I won’t miss the hot air balloon rides at evo’11. All of your posts and pics and videos are so contagious!
And, I love the sweet vibe of this post. You are amazing, Aimee!
xoxoxo
I LOVE hot air balloon rides. It’s so unexpected how smoothly you float.
Isn’t it weird how your mind convinces you that it isn’t that high? That you aren’t looking at real cows, but mini cows? And the champagne at the end helps too.
Great pics.
You are a joy. And I really should comment more to tell you! Happy day… beautiful description of balloon day!
As afraid of heights as I am, I’m adding “ride in a hot air balloon” to my life list.
LOVED your post. We met at EVO, that was such a great time wasn’t it 🙂 I too am a photographer, I love this pics you took.
-Kirsten
thecraftingchicks.com
Your photos are stunning!
What a wonderful way to start your day, and an amazing adventure. Yay!
What a beautiful experience, communicated through a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing!
You guys are awesome.
You have the coolest life ever.