Tag Archives: Air travel

Close Encounter With The Goodyear Blimp

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CBS yesterday morning ran a profile on the Goodyear Blimp. What’s a ride like? How do you get a ride? The pilot they interviewed starting out cutting the grass many years ago and now has logged thousands of hours in this airship. The Blimp celebrated its 100th birthday this week so it’s getting a lot of attention right now. 

This story got me to thinking about one surprising summer day when I saw the blimp float past our home here in southern Ohio. It was the nineties. I was a teenager and was so shocked I could hardly breathe as it floated by. Unfortunately, it was the nineties so I didn’t have an iPhone in my hand to quickly grab a picture. There was no time to run and grab a camera. 

There was hardly time to register what I was seeing before it slipped from view. 

I was sitting on the side porch of our home. Probably reading if I know me. It was a quiet day and movement out of the corner of my eye caused me to look up as the nose of that amazing airship soundlessly moved into view. I have always wondered where they were headed and what the heck they were doing flying west to east across my rural neck of the woods. I was also surprised at how low it was flying. 

For a country kid who grew up in a poor part of Appalachian Ohio, it was pretty special seeing the Goodyear Blimp so close it felt like I could reach out and touch it. Until then I had only ever seen one on television. 

The news story jarred loose this memory along with a nearly surrendered desire to take a ride in the blimp. I looked it up again to be sure but you can’t typically buy a ride. Their website says they give away rides for charity fundraisers (which is an amazing thing for a company to do) and that they keep a full schedule where the eight passenger gondola is occupied by media members, charity auction winners and corporate partners. 

Sigh. My odds of being any of those things are pretty slim but a girl can hope! 

I have only a memory of those few seconds and no proof that it even happened so you’ll have to take my word for it. What I wouldn’t give for an image to remember it by and to share with others who think that nothing exciting ever happens here. 

What a wonderful memory it is!

Ford Tri-Motor Airplane

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If you’ve ever wondered what a time machine looks like, I’m pretty sure I rode in one yesterday. This magic ride was in a nearly century old airplane called the Ford Tri-Motor.

Ford designed this plane in 1925, producing just 199 of them before suspending production in 1933.

Think about it. Just 199 of these planes were ever made. Many are museum pieces. Some have been lost to time.

Only a handful remain airworthy today and I got to ride in one!!

This plane is a product of a time when air travel was accessible only to the wealthy. You wouldn’t be allowed to board this plane in casual clothes as people were expected to dress up for travel. People wore their Sunday best when traveling and flying was an expensive, special occasion.

The plane is all metal construction with elegant wood paneling inside the cabin. The seats in this plane have been upgraded from the original wicker seats and were comfortable. There are curtains at the windows and each seat has a light and air conditioning. There’s even a lavatory in the back with an incredibly narrow door.

I have read that passengers back in the day were treated to lavish food and drinks even though I can’t imagine where that might have been stored in this cramped, narrow space.

Before taking off, our pilot demonstrated accessing the luggage hold – in the wings! That was a helpful reminder of how little baggage people carried with them back in the day. My typical carry-on bag would barely fit in there and would leave no room for anyone else’s stuff.

I was on the first flight of the day – there were twelve passengers including one who paid extra to sit in the co-pilot’s seat. I found it surprisingly comfortable given the age of the plane and the fact that three large motors are pretty noisy.

From inside this plane, looking out at a largely rural area below felt like I had slipped back a century to view the world in a whole new way.

You do fly relatively low. In this picture from around landing, it looks like the plane and the shadow are racing!

It was an extraordinary ride.

I also want to give my pilot credit for the most gentle landing I have ever experienced in any plane- big or small. It was smooth, like melted butter.

This plane is based at Port Clinton, Ohio. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) pays to travel with it, giving rides at local airports across the region every year. My friend Darlene is involved with the EAA and was key to bringing it to Chillicothe this weekend.

Want to take a ride? You can do it today at the Ross County, Ohio Airport or check the schedule for another upcoming opportunity. Check that out here. You can find information on other EAA events on their website too. And boy, they do some great events.

If you’re on the fence, it’s worth the drive, the money or whatever else you’re worried about. I seriously considered taking a second ride before we even landed. That’s how much I enjoyed the experience. Instead, I settled for watching it take off and land before heading out on the next part of my Saturday adventure.

If given the opportunity, I will absolutely go again and encourage you to go enjoy it as well. After all, how often do you get to fly in a time machine?

If you follow Make The Journey Fun on Facebook, you’ll find some videos there. Check them out!

Flying In The Age Of Covid

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Going to Denver last month required flying. I normally enjoy flying but was apprehensive given the state of Covid in this country.

I am selective about where I go and who I spend my time with on a normal day. Travel is by car. Dining out is rare and typically in the car or outside. Shopping is mostly utilitarian now rather than entertainment.

I have found ways to travel around the region and even down to Virginia while being safe and feeling secure but it is always by myself in a car.

The thought of air travel – even a couple of weeks before the holiday rush- made me squeamish but my research was reassuring. Friends who fly regularly were able to provide some insight. What I had read about my airline was reassuring too.

Flying out of the John Glenn International Airport in Columbus on a Tuesday afternoon was a smart choice.

The place was a ghost town.

Some shuttle lots are closed, most businesses were closed or operating with limited hours, and there was no security line. Literally, friends, there was no line. I walked right through.

There were people cleaning and so few travelers it was easy to social distance.

Flying in and out of Denver was arguably a mistake.

This is one of our country’s busier airports. Getting off the plane and leaving was fine. The airport train wasn’t at all busy and I managed to get out the door without cause for concern.

Sadly, the flight out was a much different story. The TSA line was enormous. It moved quickly but most people were making no effort to social distance.

Once through security, there was plenty of space to spread out even though it was busy. Everything felt extremely clean and there is hand sanitizer available everywhere.

All the same, if I had known it would be this busy, I would have flown out of a smaller airport.

The experience made me grateful that I’m typically a road tripper and am not flying during the holidays.

Have you flown lately? I would love to hear your story.

Travel Day

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This is a travel home day. I’ve been away on vacation with a gal pal who lives in Wyoming. She showed me some of the sights in her area and we spent time in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was rushed and busy but it was a lot of fun.

My flight from Rapid City, South Dakota is currently delayed so I’ll likely miss my connection at O’Hare this afternoon. Or maybe not because it sounds like little is going according to plan.

So I’ve got my feet kicked up on my bag in an empty terminal, just waiting to see what today will bring. It’s all beyond my control so I’ll just hurry up and wait!