OSH - to go, not to go, camp?

moll780 · #1 07-10-2012, 05:04 PM

I cant find a hotel anywhere!
im thinking of going from the 27th to the 29th but need to be convinced I should fly there myself. cant find someone who wants to go with me on short notice, who could share the load.
Will there be HBC available?

I went last year with a friend in his mooney, we terminated at timmerman and hoteled it near by.

advice?

David Paule · #2 07-10-2012, 05:14 PM

I've gone with friends and by myself - it's more fun with friends but easier to make decisions by myself.

I've always camped and had good experiences, bearing in mind the occasional primitive conditions. When I took a lot of my own food, I got to eat what I wanted with no crowds and thereby met fewer other folks, and was denied that excellent experience. Also I learned how easily mice can get into aircraft. Still, camping under the wing adds something to the trip and I'd be reluctant to omit that.

Flying into Oshkosh definitely is better with more eyes looking around.

Please bear in mind my last trip was probably fifteen years ago and no doubt some things have gotten worse. Perhaps maybe a few have improved.

Hope this helps!

Dave

Ironflight · #3 07-10-2012, 05:46 PM

There should be plenty of places to camp by the end of the week - the Homebuilding crowd tends to thin out pretty fast by Thursday....but if theat's when you can go, then that's when you can go! I have gone up there by myself in teh past with no firm plans, and it always worked out.

Paul

Kyle Boatright · #4 07-10-2012, 06:53 PM

Go. Camp. Enjoy.

Personally, I kind of prefer arriving in the middle of the week. You can usually get a better parking space, the lines are a little shorter, things seem a little less hectic, etc.

But the beginning of the week has its merits too...

rwarre · #5 07-10-2012, 07:14 PM

I always stay at the YMCA indoor camping. (on the soccer field) Always room and with access to all the facilities. As I get older, small comforts are more appealing. They shuttle everyone to and from Osh.

David-aviator · #6 07-10-2012, 07:26 PM

I had no problem getting a room at the Blackhawk campus just 8 days ago, give them a call at (920) 424-3226. $60 a night, however no AC at that price.

ScottSchmidt · #7 07-10-2012, 10:26 PM

Do not stay anywhere but there. If you want, camp near a shower facility or even in Camp Schoeller.
There is Theater in the Woods each night, a movie and you will meet plenty of other friends.
I stayed at Appleton the first 2 years and camped the next 14. I will never go back to not staying there. You will miss the experience.
My schedule is typically forums and plane looking most of the day, watch the airshow and then sit by the runways after the airshow with a handheld and watch and listen to the planes takeoff.
The best pictures are when the sun sets and rises, and there is nothing better than a 7am walk around the grounds and the P-51's.

AeroDog · #8 07-10-2012, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSchmidt

Do not stay anywhere but there. If you want, camp near a shower facility or even in Camp Schoeller.
There is Theater in the Woods each night, a movie and you will meet plenty of other friends.
I stayed at Appleton the first 2 years and camped the next 14. I will never go back to not staying there. You will miss the experience.
My schedule is typically forums and plane looking most of the day, watch the airshow and then sit by the runways after the airshow with a handheld and watch and listen to the planes takeoff.
The best pictures are when the sun set and rises, and there is nothing better than a 7am walk around the grounds and the P-51's.

I couldn't agree more. This will be my 24th trip to OSH, and I love the early mornings before the throngs arrive. Can't beat 7 am.

Jerre

LettersFromFlyoverCountry · #9 07-11-2012, 08:06 AM

I can't imagine NOT camping at Oshkosh. It's part of the experience. Of course it's changed a lot over the years. Nowadays, you've got flush toilets and giant land yachts with satellite dishes and people inside pounding on the Internet in air conditioned comfort about how EAA isn't what it used to be.

Wednesday is "reset" day at Oshkosh. Lots of people leave and the weekend crowd doesn't start coming in in earnest until Thursday.

ppilotmike · #10 07-11-2012, 08:34 AM

I totally agree that camping on the grounds is where it's at! Yes it's hot and not so comfortable as a hotel, but so what? You're typically only at your tent to sleep. Staying the HBC versus Camp Scholler, hmmm.. Both have their pros and cons, but are about equally good in my mind. HBC is quiet and more intimate to the planes (and owners of those planes) on the lineup. Camp Scholler is more active and closer to the beer tents and theater. Take your pick, but definitely you can't beat camping right there!