DID YOU EVER RIDE A BLIMP?

Click Photos To Enlarge Them

Landing Field For The Goodyear Blimp

Flight Log Of Trip

Back in 1933, at the Chicago World's Fair that was officially known as "THE CENTURY OF PROGRESS", there were two tall towers which supported a cable car line that ran from the mainland to the Enchanted Island. As I recall, the observation platforms at the top of the towers were some 600 feet above ground. At the 200 foot level on the towers, cables were stretched between them. They were used by double decker cable cars which carried a fairly good quantity of passengers.

The cars were named for characters from the "Amos 'N Andy" radio show that, at the time, originated in Chicago. Among them were AMOS, ANDY, THE KINGFISH and a number of others. This unique mode of transportation was called THE SKYRIDE.

One Friday afternoon I was excused from the 5th grade and my Aunt Ella took me for the weekend to Chicago from Detroit aboard the Michigan Central's TWILIGHT LIMITED. Before leaving the railway station I was admonished by my parents to definitely stay off what they considered to be "that dangerous SKYRIDE."

I was a good boy and obeyed them. However, on Sunday afternoon, before we caught the train back to Detroit, my Aunt and I had about a 10 minute ride over Chicago in a GOODYEAR BLIMP. The most exciting part of the trip was that I was able to ride up front, next to the pilot.

Needless to say, upon my return, Mother and Dad were quite surprised to learn that instead of venturing near the SKY RIDE, I had flown over the Fair in a GOODYEAR BLIMP.

In 1936, my Aunt Ella took my cousin and me to the GREAT LAKES EXPOSITION in Cleveland, Ohio. Instead of going by train we rode overnight aboard the old side wheeler, THE CITY OF CLEVELAND, III. This time I was told by my parents to definitely stay away from the Goodyear Blimp! Since my cousin had missed out on the Chicago flight, my Aunt felt that she ought to have a blimp ride on this trip. My Aunt wanted me to go along with my cousin since she didn't want the 13 year old riding by herself. Semi-reluctantly, I agreed. This time, instead of riding next to the pilot, the two of us sat at the rear of the cabin. I snapped serveral aerial photos, but until I can locate the prints, I won't be able to add them to this story.

Upon my return home from Cleveland I was chastised somewhat halfheartedly for disobeying orders to refrain from blimp riding.

Unlike most folks, I've only flown in one airplane in my whole life. It was a Navion piloted by a friend.

But I've enjoyed TWO GOODYEAR BLIMP rides. Not many of you reading this can boast of having done that.

--The Old Timer