Being that close (MN) I couldn't imagine not going. My Dad took me to OSH back in 1976 for the first time. We camped out with one of his flying buddies/ co-worker for Pan AM, who owned a Stinson Reliant, along with his two kids (we were all about the same age - 12 or 13).Even as kids we had a blast, running around, eating the bad food from the tents, got a ride in the Stinson, and locking each other in the port-a-johns (OK, we were 12 and that was really funny then - matter of fact, it might even be funny today!).

Well, now thirty-some years later, I've been to OSH about 16 times, mostly since being stationed at Offutt AFB in the Air Force. I'm not there to see all the same airplanes, or the same vendors, although it's fun and interesting, or see the same airshow routines (Masters of Disasters was an exception), but it's all about the people. I've been camping with the same group for years and it's now a chance to kick back, relax, do the beer and brats, maybe some fish, and catch up with buddies from across the country we only see once a year. Where else can you bump into someone and pick up right where you left off from laswt year.

I just can't imaging not going!

Bob we have never met, but...
 

I feel like I know you, I have been building an RV for the last 5 years or so, my brother and I have enjoyed reading your messages and keeping track of your progress and the progress of many others. I am not much of a contributor but I am one of the faithful to this group and have benefited greatly from the many contributors. This year will be my first time at OSH and in the RV-7A I built. I for one will be sorry not to have the chance to meet you in person, to say hello and to thank you and all the contributors who helped and entertained me so much over the years. But I know when you are ready and you will be...you too will fly your aircraft to OSH. And I hope I will be one of the many to share the excitement you will experience flying your aircraft to OSH for the first time. In the meantime enjoy your project, take your time, your friends will be ready when you are. Thanks for the inspiration over the years, see you at OSH, someday.
Mark Mercier
RV-7A C-GQRV
Vancouver, BC

Just freakin' go and stop whining...
 

I've only been once and that was in 2006. Waited until I could fly my own plane in with my son that we took over 5 years to build. It was a bit of a let down because I couldn't relax enough due to the lousy forecasted flying weather for the return trip to the east coast. We ended up leaving 2 or 3 days earlier than desired due to weather.

The folks who drove in and camped in style for the whole week seemed to be the most relaxed and having the best time overall. They had bikes to get around all day and a car to get off ground and take in other points of interests conveniently. I skipped last year because it occurred to me too late to work it out that that's the way I'd rather go next time. Well next time is this year and my son and I are headed back for a sweet week of bonding. I'm stoked. As others have alluded to, it's not one big overwhelming event, it's a bunch of small events taking place all week. Take your time and explore it from the ground up. Strike up coversations with complete strangers. Walk over to the handicapped gentleman and see how they are doing. Probably someone who was a grunt on D-Day or a bombardier over Africa. The people I meet at these events humble me to no end. Can't wait to share this with my son.

Stop whining and go. For every lame excuse not to go there's a zillion positives that trump them. Sure it's going to be expensive no matter how you attend. Sure there will be 'crowds' no matter how the economy has been this year. Sure many of the same planes will be there performig and on display as before. So what - I want to see that new jet pack fly, I want to see those rocket planes, I want to see the V-22 Osprey which I am in charge of testing the Avionics SW on and BS with the crew and get their thoughts. I wasn't there last year so I'll be the happy, smiling, pleasant, positive and enthusiastic middle age dad attending with his 15 year old son so if you see me please say hi and if you are down I'll be pumped enough to pull anyone out of their slump. Look me up somewhere in camp Scholler!

Later,
Lucky

This will be my 5th year in a row going. There is so much there to see and do but for me the real joy is being in a relaxed setting enjoying the people I'll be there with. This is so important to me that my RV and my buddies RV will be parked in the North 40 with all the spam cans including the 5 others in our group. It was a real debate whether to park and camp next to it there or leave her all alone in the sea of RV's.

As a group, we eat breakfast together then go our separate ways, coming back to our site in the late afternoon/evenings, cooking or going out for diner together, and all talking excitedly about our days experience over wine, beer, a decent single malt, or a margarita while sitting under the stars and the wings of our planes.

There is plenty of relaxing down time where we continue to purposely forget about our hectic lives and the fellowship that all should experience is really in my opinion what makes going to Oshkosh special. Been to Sun-n-Fun twice and will not go back. That spirit and fellowship just does not exist there.

My advice to anyone that has not airplane camped there and feel that they are burned out of going should rent a bird and fly in. Any group of folks in the North 40 will happily take in strays and rekindle that spirit. You are welcome to join us.

Could it be that Bob doesn't know how lucky he is.
There must be thousands of people who would give their eye teeth to have the opertunity to go to Oshkosh.
I would love to go and hope to one day but not living in North America I just have to hope and dream it will one day be achievable.
John

You've never read any of my writing, have you?

As well you should. I enjoyed sharing Oshkosh with my family and, in fact, did.

Let's try to hold off on the name-calling and judgment of others, though, OK? I'm simply sharing my thoughts. I'm not saying you have to have the same thoughts.

I'd like to think that's still possible on VAF and we respect the opinions of others and the willingness to share them.

And please read what I wrote on Letters, again if you haven't already because you'll see it has nothing to do with negativity or not appreciating sharing things with family and others.

when I write, I write honestly and openly and from the heart. I do so because I think readers respect that even though I suspect they often don't agree. In return, I expect a minimum level of respect. Please?

thank you.

Next year for sure, Mark. And thanks.

BTW, if anyone is going TO or FROM Osh and would like to drop down in South St. Paul to refuel and grab some refreshment (or even stay overnight in our luxurious accomodations), I've got a hangar for your RV and a cold beverage. Just give me a call at 651.246.5564 and I'll make sure I'm at the airport to greet you. KSGS would make a good morning launch area for OSH or -- on return -- a good spot to put down for the night, especially if you had an afternoon departure.

You know who I really enjoyed meeting last year at the BBQ? The folks from The Netherlands. They were cool (although i felt stupid when saying goodbye, i didn't know you're supposed to kiss on BOTH cheeks. I'm such an...... American!). Wonderful people.

And then a couple of years ago at the BBQ -- I think it was '05 -- Beverly and Stan Jones from new Zealand. He was standing around a guy who was just talking about having spent $14,000 to put in an instrument panel. So he moved to the other side of the campsite. "$14,000 for a panel," he grumbled, throwing in some expletives. I LOVE that. I think of it whenever I price out stuff I want to put in the panel. They were great fun.

(BTW, I accidentally edited -- sted quoted -- SpruceMoose's suggestion I drive for a few days rather than the whole week -- or 10 days in my case since I usually show up on Friday). May have to do that.

Well If You're out on Sunday...
 

Well it sounds like your juices have been pumped up a bit. If you do decide to drive over, it should be interesting to see low altitude finish line passes for the AirVenture Cup race at the Juneau/Dodge County Airport on Sunday Morning 7/27/08. The racers launch at 9:00AM from Mitchell, South Dakota And some (Relentless NXT, SX-300, Legacy) will be arriving a little over an hour later. The FAA has waived the 250 KIAS speed limit as usual for this race and I assure you some of these folks will be breaking it. Oh no not my RV-6A but it won't be to shabby either.

Bob Axsom
Race #71