Ellen In The Sky

Remembering Ellen Friedman (1961-2007)

Our lovely friend, Ellen Friedman, one year invited a few of us to enjoy Christmas in the air.  

Being that the Autumn colors in Michigan make for some fine scenery, we celebrated the holiday early in (I believe) 1992.

Here is our beautiful Ellen and hostess to the skies.

Unpacking the aircraft.

It was an unforgettable journey.  

Here is our balloon being unfolded.

Here is Ellen and Archie Lynch.  I first met Ellen through Archie sometime in 1988.

There are no two people have I ever known to have been closer than Ellen and Archie.

Ellen seems to be saying, "C'mon, this will be fun!"

Archie Lynch is turned away behind Thomas Spilker.  Ellen Friedman is behind myself, John Stoskopf.

Here we are ready to go up to the CLOUDS!

Ascending in a balloon is unlike anything I've ever felt before.  The basket we were standing in was just motionless as the world slowly moved away from us.  Silence prevailed.

We weren't alone in the sky.

It's a bit eerie but wonderfully serene.

 Suspended over Michigan.

Archie Lynch

Ellen Friedman

Captain of the Ship.

Hanging over the edge.

Another shot from our ship.

Looking directly above us.

Notice the hot air being created to keep us floating.

Happy Landings!

Our pilot blasts some hot air for the camera.

Having a laugh...

...and a smile.

Assisting the pilot in helping assure we are anchored.

Amazing transporation!

When we looked closely at our balloon we could see the outline of letters that were once sewed into the fabric to advertise the Arbor Drugs Store which was based in Troy, Michigan.

Before it was bought out by CVS Corporation in 1998, Arbor Drugs was the local store we would take film to be developed.  There's our balloon!

Whenever I think of the ones we lost these past few years I'm reminded of these photographs where we went up in the clouds, the place were the souls of our dearest beloved now roam.

So this little presentation will forever be dedicated to our Ellen Friedman, never forgotten.

Loving Ellen Forever

...





Some of these photographs originally published December 22, 2008 on my Facebook account along with many new ones shown for the first time here!