Laurie Axelsen was a dedicated Glen Canyon National Recreation Area park ranger and an avid balloonist. Laurie passed away in a plane crash on October 9, 2010 along with her fellow ranger Brent McGinn. While memorial services for Laurie & Brent have been held, her close balloonist friends thought it fitting to remember her with a flight over Antelope Slot Canyon which was one of her favorite spots. I had the honor to be asked to photograph the event prior to the 2010 Page Balloon Regatta. This gallery follows the memorial flight from lift-off to landing and is a tribute to Laurie.

Many thanks to Pilot Don Stockley, his wife Robyn, Dale & Val Gleave, and Denise for their friendship, warmth, and the memories of Laurie they shared with me throughout the day. The flight was in the Stockley's balloon, Moonshine, in which Laurie flew many times.