Charlotte helping to fill the balloon by holding the left edge.

The view from the hot air balloon about 20 seconds into the flight.

The sunrise in the east a few minutes after lift off in the hot air balloon. This provides a sense of how dark it was in the pre-dawn hours before ascending.

Four of the five balloons (we were in the fifth from which this shot was taken) in flight heading south over the Verde Valley just southwest of Sedona.

A solitary balloon on its flight southwest from Sedona.

The view from above as one of the hot air balloons descends to just above tree top level along the Verde Valley. This is probably my favorite of the photos of that day.

Within minutes the canopy collapses and the crew hustles to bring the canopy into position for quick loading.

Charlotte on the ground just after landing.

The fully loaded and packed SUV with the contents of one balloon ready for transport back to Sedona.

Midgely Bridge on Rt. 89A, just north of downtown Sedona, Arizona. The bridge spans Oak Creek.

The view along West Fork Trail in north Sedona, Arizona, one of the most popular trails in the area, of which there are hundreds.

The beautiful Oak Creek along West Fork Trail in northern Sedona, Arizona. In July the creek is flowing minimally. The temperature on the day this was taken was 105 F. Record breaking for this area.

West Fork Trail. Has some of the same qualities as Yosemite in California.

Charlotte and I standing out by the "Mittens" on a Pink Jeep Tour, off-roading in Sedona, Arizona.

Bell Rock in the background. An incredible view from the "Broken Arrow" tour, one of the offerings of Pink Jeep Tours in Sedona, Arizona.

Views from the Pink Jeep Tour.

Charlotte standing in the parking lot of the Church of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Arizona.

The pathway that leads to the entrance of the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Arizona.

The view just to the west of the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Arizona. By far the best time to take this shot is about 9:00 AM.

Charlotte sitting along the wall at the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

Me at the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Arizona.

Oak Creek Canyon along Rt. 89A. An absolutely spectacular drive on the way to Flagstaff from Sedona. You can see the terracing of the road with the three switchbacks in this area of the road.