Blimp over Surf City

[Walter C]

On my beach walk yesterday I spotted this blimp slowly gliding down the coastline toward Newport Beach. Canon 7D, EF 100-400L @ 260mm (416mm equiv).

[KCook]

Blimps always make me smile

Kelly Cook

[Wingman]

Great image Walter...good color, contrast and sharpness!

[boBBrennan]

....hey Walter, great image, it resurrects a memory from long ago.

I well remember when the Goodyear was stationed at the NE intersection of the 405 & Harbor during the early-mid 60s. I passed by it everyday when I worked at US Suzuki HQ, we lived in HB then.

Always wanted to take the family for a ride ($3 ea. at the time) but we never did that, shame too, groceries were too important. Then one-day the rides stopped!

____________________

Another memory comes to mind (1963) I was working for a company across the street from Orange County airport (the only office building there at the time) when one foggy night some people were attempting to 'tie-down' the blimp. Hearing the commotion myself and a co-worker walked over to see what was going on, it was one of those foggy 'count the lamp post lights & turn to home' nights, visibility was ZERO. Well, these fellows were trying get a mooring line looped but it was so foggy the pilot could not see the floor and would drop to almost the level needed and then RISE with one of the guys hanging onto the mooring line. We could not see how high it was because of the fog but the fellow 'yelling out' was a 'wheeeeee sort of 'E' coupon scream'. Of course they finallly got the thing tied down.

[Walter C]

Hey, Bob, the Goodyear blimp is still at the 405 and Harbor freeways. Thanks for the memories.