Eight years ago, for our 45th wedding anniversary, our daughter treated us to the trip of a lifetime out West. While in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Jo took part in an adventure neither of us will ever forget.

On a bluebird Wyoming morning, with the mighty Tetons standing tall against an endless sky, Jo stepped off an 11,000-foot mountain and into the wind. Securely harnessed beneath a brightly colored paraglider, she drifted above a landscape that looked as though it had been painted by the Old West itself… jagged granite peaks, deep pine forests, winding rivers, and the wide-open valley of Jackson Hole stretching to the horizon.

Then came one of those moments you could never plan. A hawk appeared and flew beneith Jo, riding the same mountain currents, as if welcoming her into its world. For a few unforgettable minutes, they shared the sky above the Tetons, soaring together over one of America’s most spectacular wilderness landscapes.

The adventure grew even more remarkable when the instructor handed Jo the controls. With gentle guidance, she piloted the glider herself, feeling the wing respond to her touch as she carved graceful turns through the clear mountain air. There are few ways to truly appreciate the grandeur of the Tetons, but floating silently among the peaks must surely be one of them.

I captured the entire experience in stunning 4K using two onboard cameras and several ground cameras. This video is the result, and it remains one of my favorite memories from that special anniversary trip.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back for a few minutes, and come along for the ride. You’ll soar above the Tetons, share the sky with a hawk, and experience the beauty, freedom, and wonder of the American West through Jo’s eyes.

Oh yea, I produced this in full 4K on my cell phone in 2018.