NavAir: when will you be there?
The very first year I was there, I stayed the first night in the dorms, with a room mate.
I realized that wasn't "the Oshkosh Experience" I was expecting. The volunteer that was working with us had offered to let me stay in his tent on the field, since he lived local, and could stay at home. I did that, and it was great. I woke up the second morning there to an SNJ going over my tent early in the morning at full power, with the prop tips going sonic. It was glorious.
Since then, we've rented RV's that folks will tow out there, and tow back when you leave, as well as other options.
The best was a house we rented for about 4 years on the east side of the field, where the backyard was on the eastern show line. I think a couple of AW folks came by one of our parties. When the warbirds did their low passes, we had to cover our Margaritas to keep from getting smoke oil in them. That didn't suck. The house sold last year, so on to new adventures...
As a military guy, pretty much you are on your own for lodging. I think the mantra must be "if you want to be here, you need to figure it out". But that's ok.
This year, since I'm by myself, and couldn't confirm I was coming until late, I grabbed a room in a house about 5 miles from the airport. Not what I wanted, but it will be good.
Most years, we didn't bother renting a car. We never had a problem getting around. We thumbed rides off the airport each day, and met a ton of interesting people in the process. If you are living in the dorms, there's a shuttle and you won't need a car. Just be outgoing and thumb it a lot.
The performers used to go to Acey Deucey a lot, but that seems to have changed the last few years.
Fratello's on the river is great for dinner and crafted brew, especially if the WX is nice.
Plan to hit the Seaplane base for at least a few hours.
There is more there than you can see in a few days, so just pace yourself and have a blast. It's the friendliest half million people you will ever meet.
One more story. Everyone is real nice,... please and thank you's abound. One morning I was at our T-38 on the West Ramp, and told the other pilot that I bet I could leave my sunglasses on the wing all day, then overnight, and they'd be there the next day. There's no way they would get stolen. So, I put my extra pair there. At lunch they were still there. And at mid-day too.
I came back to check on the jet before I left around 1700, and they were gone. Kind of a bummer.
The next morning I got there, and had an idea: I went to the West Ramp HQ and asked them "did anyone turn in some sunglasses?" Sure enough, they were there.
Oshkosh is probably my favorite week of the year.
The very first year I was there, I stayed the first night in the dorms, with a room mate.
I realized that wasn't "the Oshkosh Experience" I was expecting. The volunteer that was working with us had offered to let me stay in his tent on the field, since he lived local, and could stay at home. I did that, and it was great. I woke up the second morning there to an SNJ going over my tent early in the morning at full power, with the prop tips going sonic. It was glorious.
Since then, we've rented RV's that folks will tow out there, and tow back when you leave, as well as other options.
The best was a house we rented for about 4 years on the east side of the field, where the backyard was on the eastern show line. I think a couple of AW folks came by one of our parties. When the warbirds did their low passes, we had to cover our Margaritas to keep from getting smoke oil in them. That didn't suck. The house sold last year, so on to new adventures...
As a military guy, pretty much you are on your own for lodging. I think the mantra must be "if you want to be here, you need to figure it out". But that's ok.
This year, since I'm by myself, and couldn't confirm I was coming until late, I grabbed a room in a house about 5 miles from the airport. Not what I wanted, but it will be good.
Most years, we didn't bother renting a car. We never had a problem getting around. We thumbed rides off the airport each day, and met a ton of interesting people in the process. If you are living in the dorms, there's a shuttle and you won't need a car. Just be outgoing and thumb it a lot.
The performers used to go to Acey Deucey a lot, but that seems to have changed the last few years.
Fratello's on the river is great for dinner and crafted brew, especially if the WX is nice.
Plan to hit the Seaplane base for at least a few hours.
There is more there than you can see in a few days, so just pace yourself and have a blast. It's the friendliest half million people you will ever meet.
One more story. Everyone is real nice,... please and thank you's abound. One morning I was at our T-38 on the West Ramp, and told the other pilot that I bet I could leave my sunglasses on the wing all day, then overnight, and they'd be there the next day. There's no way they would get stolen. So, I put my extra pair there. At lunch they were still there. And at mid-day too.
I came back to check on the jet before I left around 1700, and they were gone. Kind of a bummer.
The next morning I got there, and had an idea: I went to the West Ramp HQ and asked them "did anyone turn in some sunglasses?" Sure enough, they were there.
Oshkosh is probably my favorite week of the year.
