OSH '05

We just got back from 7 glorious days spent camped next to Atlas, at the
largest fly-in convention/air show in the world, held annually in Oshkosh,
WI.

I will have a more complete report after downloading/uploading the photos
and some unpacking, but I just have to take a few moments to express our
gratitude to Jim and Tami Burns, who spent an unbelievable amount of time
and effort on the rec.aviation party at our campsite Wednesday night.

Between the fantastic home-made potato salad(s), fresh green bean salad, and
many hours of preparation and hauling, those two really made the party an
EVENT.

Montblack, as always, performed super-human feats by schmoozing his way past
EVERY security road-block on the field, and by providing all of the meat,
grills, chairs, etc.

Despite a few moments of uncertainty, when it looked like he might offer a
free beer to EVERYONE in the North 40, or when we thought the "Gate Nazis"
might prevent him from returning with more food (or the PMC -- Pimp My
Cooler, AKA: "The Casket" -- which was always packed with splendid examples
of beer), he always came through in the pinch!

And, of course, thanks must also go to Ryan Wubben, who -- as co-chair for
flight-line ops -- managed to save Montblack from the "Gate Nazis" a couple
of times! Without his efforts, it is doubtful whether we would have been
able to get the grills, etc., out onto the field -- even with Montblack
doing the schmoozing!

And, of course, Mary and I must thank all of you who came to the party(s),
or stopped by our campsite. It's amazing -- just a few years ago, Oshkosh
was a largely private affair for us, where we might meet a few people we
knew throughout the week. Most of our time there was spent quietly, just
the (first two, then three, now) four of us, as we gaped and gawked at
aviation's finest.

Now, it's a party every night! Thanks to our hotel banner, which clearly
marked our territory to all who passed, we had a steady stream of visitors
and well-wishers throughout the week, all either bringing (or taking) a
beer!

Man, I tell you what -- I *had* to come home, just to get some rest! :-)

Anyway, more later -- I've got a few hundred photos to go through, and about
200 emails to answer...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"