One of my favorite trips to make is going to the annual AirVenture air show at Oshkosh Wisconsin. This year was especially fun because I got to take Mark Christy: aka "Skidmark" or "Skid", a friend of ours that we met on our hike on the Appalachian Trail. Back in 2011 we hiked, camped, spent time at meal time quite often with Skid on our hike of 720 miles. We first met in the Smokey Mountains and had a lot of good times together. Skid is an inactive licensed private pilot like myself. He had never been to the air show in Oshkosh so finally this summer we were able to make it happen. He flew into Chippewa International airport on Wed. night around 9:30 and I picked him up and brought him home for the night. Thursday morning jumped into my truck with the pick-up camper loaded up and headed for Oshkosh some 6 and a half hours away. We made a stop in Escanaba at Wal*Mart to stock up on hamburg, hot dogs, chips, apples and other food to eat at the air show. We had a nice trip across the UP and on down to Oshkosh arriving a bit before 4. While we stood in line to purchase tickets and camping we were able to enjoy some of the afternoon air show from a distance. Skid had asked me how big the show was and I tried to explain but I said "you have to witness it for yourself in person". Well over the next 3 days he did...and you couldn't wipe the huge smile off his face the whole time.
See what I mean about the never ending smile!
One of a dozen or so acts that are performed during the afternoon air shows
Skid checking out one of the thousands of planes at Oshkosh
We saw these planes for the kids parked under a bomber in the warbirds area
Dick Rutan being introduced at the EAA Museum
The Osprey was on display and flew a demo during the air show each day
The US Air Force Thunderbirds flew during the air show each day...outstanding!!
Several dozen warbirds were on display and many flew during the show
Oshkosh's tower becomes the worlds busiest control tower during the week handling many thousands of landings.
Ford is a major sponsor and offer lots of fun things for big and little kids to do
Skid still has that big smile going as we check out one of the Thunderbird jets!
How about a small Sonex jet you can build yourself??
A view from one of our campsites that we stayed at.
Skid and I had a great time and the airs show was over before we knew it. The time flies by quickly when you are having a good time for sure.
