The 401st gathering of the Ilk took place at Pinckneyville
this weekend with thousands in attendence

Oh, wait, wrong website

Those of the Ilk who made it through or around the bad weather
(driving or flying) did meet and gather at Pinckneyville. Tigger
and his family arrived before lunch on Saturday. As I walked
across the ramp, I couldn't help but comment "wow, what beautiful
old airplanes" shortly followed by "wow, what decrepit old
reprobabe pilots".

Oyster owned, that would be him. Rich, as for what Oyster was
doing in Iowa, let's not discuss that in a "family" newsgroup.
Heh, heh. Everyone from points north drove or flew commercial --
just no getting through.

I wish I'd had the chance to talk to the pilot of the other
Stinson -- what a work of art. Other notable planes were the
beautiful acrosport, the RV-4 (that must be a show plane -- it
looks like it's glass), and the Decathalon which provided a
pleasant demo on Saturday. Dan Luke, it was nice to meet you,
thanks for showing me the Magic Weather Machine, and I'm sorry
we didn't get up in Tigger.

Notable by their absence were Nauga's RV-4 (a loud raspberry
to St Louis FSDO for not granting him a waiver), Unka Bob and
his Serendipitous horse, Chuck Slusarc&#@k, and Dave Tate's
plane. OK, Dave well we missed you too. Bourbon, out of annual
is no durned excuse but at least now we know why you're so crabby
lately. I believe your doctor should prescribe a course of
RVotherapy, good for what ails ya.

Thanks to Mary for as usual, fantastic good food produced under
minimalist conditions and to John and Mary for hosting another
Gathering of the Ilk. Thanks, Nauga for hauling our big tent
for us.

Good to see everyone,
Sydney