"Community" on a Grand Scale

Oshkosh AirVenture 2009

First, the planes arrive. All shapes and sizes. Some people come for the day, and some stay for the week. Some families rent a house in the area, and some sleep under the wing. The commonality of the event is the feeling of comaradarie pilots and their families have with each other. It's a family, a huge one, but a family none-the-less.

Some pilots bring their planes to enter in competition, in diverse categories. This Grumman Widgeon, a fabulously restored 1942 aircraft, is entered in the Seaplane category. The person who owns this aircraft is a friend, and his father owns one as well. Like father like son.


Not every one competes; some come for the sport, the adventure, the forums, the presentations, the air show itself. Others network, or purchase supplies for their airplanes. Some come just to look.


Us? We love it all. Daryl and I get different things out of the event. I love to photograph, soaking in colors and sites and smells and tastes (ice cream is always a favorite). I love to listen to people passionate about their lives and interests, and enjoy presentations and learning new things. Daryl loves networking with other pilots and learning new skills. He loves to ask questions about the construction, the handling and the history of various air craft.


And at the end of the day...


... it's not all that bad to be in an environment which is quiet and not commanding your attendance at a keyboard. This is my first night with Internet access since my last post, and I will edit photos and post stories as I can...there's so much to tell! Roamin' can't wait for me to upload the photos of him at the camp site and on his DC-3. Soon, I promise him...soon.