The Flight of the Saltire

**BoldHighlander** · 29th May 10, 06:36 PM

A well deserved dip in the river
Wonderful photo journey Ron! Thanks for sharing them

**Zardoz** · 29th May 10, 07:54 PM

Great stuff Ron!

**Jock Scot** · 30th May 10, 12:17 AM

Brilliant Ron, I have loved every picture.

**ThistleDown** · 30th May 10, 12:28 AM

Absolutely wonderful flight, Ron. Many, many thanks for superb piloting and narration.

Rex

**Riverkilt** · 5th June 10, 03:47 PM

After a bit of rest and relaxation the Saltire sallied forth again. This time up to the Badlands of Southern Utah.

Wahweap Marina

Wahweap Bay

Hoodoo

Cliffs

Fault

Mesa

A hot day - over 100F - lots of greenery and wildflowers...spring in the high desert.

**Riverkilt** · 6th June 10, 02:40 PM

Fulfilling the charge of the original post in this thread/adventure the wee ship braved 100F temps and flew out to Horseshoe Bend of Glen Canyon on the Colorado River.

Here she's approaching the top of Glen Canyon with the Vermillion Cliffs in the background and the backside of the Echo Cliffs above Lees Ferry on the left. Echo Cliffs were named in olden times from the custom of travelers on the far side of the river firing a round from a firearm to call the ferryman from his home. The cliffs echoed the shot so the ferryman could easily know he had work/revenue waiting. One heck of a "doorbell."

Near the rim of the canyon the baby balloon turns and looks back at the trail to the overlook over what I've come to call "Heart Attack Ridge" (the high point in the pic). To get to the scenic viewpoint one must TRUDGE uphill in sand and downhill in sand. Then to get back you need to do it again the otherway. The hike is UPHILL BOTH WAYS!

After a hot journey taking time to smell the short-lived Spring wildflowers seems the thing to do.

Suddenly, the land opens and the dimminutive dirigible is soaring over the majestic Horseshoe Bend 1200 feet above the Colorado River. Yup, that tiny spot at the bottom center left of the pic is a beached fishing boat.

She heads upstream a ways, pointing towards Glen Canyon dam...right where the nose of the Saltire is pointing are ancient Anasazi petroglyphs at river level. A stop on the flatwater raft trips down the Glen Canyon.

Then comes about and explores the canyon downstream towards Lees Ferry.

Then, feeling sorry for the overheated "pilot" she headed back over Heart Attack Ridge to a cool ride in an air conditioned car.

**cessna152towser** · 6th June 10, 02:58 PM

Wow these are fabulous pictures, Ron, the shot of the Saltire over the Horseshoe bend is very dramatic.

**Santa Wally** · 6th June 10, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

Ron, the shot of the Saltire over the Horseshoe bend is very dramatic.

Absolutely, the Horseshoe Bend photo is one of the most dramatic I've ever seen. Simply STUNNING!!!

**Riverkilt** · 6th June 10, 07:36 PM

Thanks,
"dramatic' is an olde guy standing on sandstone "slick rock" on the lip of oblivion 1200 feet above the river steering a blimp with one hand and driving a camera with the other hand while peering through a viewfinder trying to remember which way NOT to step while focusing....