Better!

I tried to post yesterday but the internet bogged down hard. That doesn't usually happen on Sunday, but then again they closed the field to all but show planes on Sunday afternoon because Oshkosh is FULL. Before it even officially starts. Campgrounds are full. The roads are traffic-jammed. It's kind of crazy!

The weather is kind of crazy too. We sweltered for two days. Sweating right out of the shower, 80% humidity. Yesterday a front went through, a low of 55, and we were all in long pants and jackets yesterday evening. Today is gorgeous. High in the 70s, blue skies, a perfect aviation day. Steve and AE are off to the buildings, and Kaylee and I will meet them for lunch inside the flightline.

Yesterday we went to go to Artie and Ed's for lunch, but they had a 45 minute wait so we went to Culvers. Not really Oshkosh fare, but fast and we were hungry. ;) That evening we went to a Bonanzas to Oshkosh event we've been invited to for years and never made it to. We started off feeling awkward as we didn't know to bring chairs, so we were standing in a group in front of the big group. Then someone got us chairs, they had some major things raffled off including two rides with Aeroshell (ack!!).  That was just wrapping up so we could eat, when a rain shower hit. Everyone scrambled. Most people ran for the one tent. Our crew can't stand being herded into a tight space with a large group, so we ran for airplanes. Kaylee and I got under one Bonanza wing, Steve, Tummers and Nathan ducked under another wing, George and Karen found a third, and AE crouched under a V-tail. We mostly stayed dry, except for our chairs. When it passed, it was food time. BBQ chicken and beef, spinach salad with strawberries and almonds, green beans with almonds, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, sweet rolls, pecan or cherry pie, lots of beverages. Good stuff. We saw the sun go down over a sea of over 115 Bonanzas, and came back for a cooled-down evening of chatting.

Two nights ago our fire wouldn't stay lit. The wood just would not burn with flame. No popping or hissing like it was wet or green, either. So we'll see what happens tonight--that was a lot of work to keep firing up the pile!

We got our wristbands yesterday--solid black this year--and we are ready to hit it, with most of the group already up and gone by 8:30 am.  Everybody you pass is excited and eager and energetic. Won't be that way Friday, unless they're new, but it's neat to see.  I woke up to the sound of T-6s taking off as usual. It is a good sound. I tried to decide if I wanted to be there too or if I liked being in my bed listening to them. I'm still not sure, but leaning towards bed, this morning anyway. ;)

Time for a cup of coffee and to look into what we want to do today...