Daffodil and Golden Eagle : THE SAGA OF TWO BALLOONS CROSSING THE SAHARA

Jon Hart Gardey ( August 14th, 1931 - April 30th, 2009 ) was born in Chicago ( Illinois, United States ). He moved to Los Angeles ( California, United States ) when he was nine years old. His fascination with photography began when he was 12, and he received his first camera. His passion for photography has been a constant part of his life. 

Jon H. Gardey trained as a pilot and a meteorologist. He flew for the U.S.A.F. as a jet pilot and then, with a wife and family, decided to concentrate on meteorology instead, gaining a degree in Meteorology from UCLA ( University of California, Los Angeles ). His work took him to Alaska, a trip which was to change his life. He and a number of friends decided to climb Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in Northern America and only a few thousand feet shorter than Everest. The epic climb to the top began his lifelong love for Alaska, where he, his wife and two daughters made their home for 10 years ( Anchorage ). 

Jon H. Gardey eventually climbed almost every mountain in North America and his flying and other travels have taken him to many other parts of the world, including Africa and India. He has crossed the Italian Alps in a hydrogen balloon, flown a plane for food drops in Ethiopia during President Mengistu’s terrifying reign and crossed the Sahara in a hot - air balloon. 

His work eventually brought his family to the United Kingdom, where he fell in love with the people but not the climate. Shortly after his arrival in Surrey ( England ), he took the decision that he would become a full - time photographer. Tragically, his wife Jill was then killed in a car crash, and photography has been his life ever since. 

( sources : www.artbol.com, fr.findagrave.com )