Shadow Me

Story

The two balloons rose up as one into the clear morning sky. The sun was shining bright, the air currents were perfect, and it was a superb day to go flying and exploring. However, today’s adventure would take them deep into the valley of the monuments; tall monoliths reaching skyward, their enormous bulk changing the very air around them. Shadow Me is their story.

One balloon flew in front, defying the monuments very air, rising higher with every passing moment. The other was much more timid, preferring to stay close, if not right on, the monument itself, following its companion exactly. The balloons stayed in perfect formation as if by magic.

The lead pilots put a hand up in greeting; the other pilots immediately followed suit. The balloons ventured on toward the deep cleft in the monument, although the way looked perilous.

Perhaps today would be the day they fly through it! As the lead balloon made the turn, its companion decided to leave; maybe it would try the cleft itself another day.

Shadow Me was created during a hot air balloon rally in Monument Valley, in the Navajo Nation. The companion balloon eventually worked up the courage to rejoin the lead one at a different monument a little later in the flight.

Another balloon in Monument Valley

Balloon Window tells the story of a balloon framed in the North Window.