Blips and blimps

(Airdock. May 2006. © Robin)

I made a bit of a blip in the old blog earlier today so I thought I’d remedy the situation with a new post (although I have to admit it turned out to be an entertaining mistake). Besides, I’m resting and bored with resting.

M and I live near the oldest airship base in the United States. The Goodyear Blimp makes the rounds around here frequently, especially in the spring and fall. In May of 2006, when all of the following photos were taken, Goodyear had a new blimp to name and we happened to be around one day when they were doing touch and go’s. I mention this because of the “Hello My Name Is” tag on the airdock.

(Hauling the blimp. May 2006. © Robin)

It takes a few good men and/or women to move the blimp around when it’s on the ground.

(© Robin)

Of all the photos I took that day, the following is my favorite:

(© Robin)

The guys moving the blimp around are pilots. They were taking turns practicing take-offs and landings. After a while they moved the blimp back into the airdock which involved this thing:

(Blimp mover. © Robin)

I’m sure they must have an official name for it, but I don’t know what it is.

(Getting ready to move the blimp. © Robin)

(Moving the blimp. © Robin)

I bet you thought we only use tractors around here for farming.

(Backing into the airdock. © Robin)

( © Robin)

(Bye bye blimp. © Robin)

But the best way to see it is up in the air.

( © Robin)

I think it would be fun to take a ride in it someday.

(Note to those who subscribe:  This is another old post I’m making public again to tie in with a post over at Life in the Bogs.)