Oshkosh B'Gosh!

If there's one thing I've learned about life, it's that new experiences are the spice that keeps it exciting.

This year, I attended the 2023 EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin – a bucket-list adventure that my pilot sphere is buzzing about every year around July... let's be honest, they start getting excited in March.

For those who might not be familiar, EAA Airventure is an aviation wonderland that gathers aviation enthusiasts, pilots, and dreamers from around the globe. Known affectionately as "Oshkosh," this event is a haven for anyone with a fascination for all things that take flight.

Our week began even before the first plane revved its engines. Luckily, I was with veteran Oshkosh attenders so my crew had this trip down to a science... well.. these guys had a generic plan.

Our journey started EARLY in the morning - before even the sun was awake - to get ahead of the rest of the chaos so of course the guys snuck their pics of me catching up on my beauty rest.

We kicked off our adventure a solid three days before the event. Our goal? To score THE spot – smack dab in the middle of Show Center on the edge of the 'burn line'. And volunteers don't play

when it comes to crossing that forbidden line.... well some were cool and joked about it. It was the heart of the action, where all the airshow excitement was about to roll out.

We staked our claim along the grassy edge of the runway, putting us right in the thick of the action. And let me tell you, this wasn't your usual camping deal – it was pure comfort. Our setup was dialed in with propane grills and Blackstone flattops working their magic. We whipped up everything from prepped pasta to hearty breakfasts, sizzling steaks, and good ol' classic hot dogs and burgers. Our makeshift "kitchen" turned out to be a foodie's paradise amidst all the high-flying excitement.

Since we had the jumpstart by arriving early, the initial days unfolded at a leisurely pace, a bit slow and uneventful. But hey, we saw it as a golden opportunity to get organized and

gear up for the week ahead. We made a dash to Walmart and stocked up on all the essentials – a little insider tip for those aiming to stay one step ahead of the later arrivals who tend to sweep the store clean. Smart move, if you ask me! With our provisions secured, we were primed and ready to dive headfirst into the adventure that awaited us at EAA Airventure.

And just like that, things kicked into high gear. The sky became a canvas as countless privately-owned aircraft touched down, creating a fascinating display. The grounds buzzed with activity as fellow campers joined the scene. Some flew in, others arrived with campers, and a few came off nearby commercial flights. It was a bustling and friendly hub of energy that made the entire place come alive.

Day One Recap Video

Oshkosh really delivers on the excitement with its incredible airshows (see recap videos). The sky turns into a stage for impressive acrobatics and daring stunts that leave you amazed. Watching the skilled pilots in action, feeling the engine power, and witnessing those intense maneuvers had me completely absorbed. It's a memory that's stuck with me – especially my favorites, the warbirds, and the Corsair. But what really blew me away was feeling the force and speed of an F-22 as it zoomed by, and seeing the impressive agility of the F-35 demo. It was an experience that left a lasting impression.

But Oshkosh isn't just about the airborne spectacles; it's a vibrant hub of aviation culture. Walking through the grounds, I found myself surrounded by an astounding variety of aircraft – from vintage warbirds to cutting-edge marvels of engineering.

And guess what? As I was wandering around the Warbird Camp, I found a Bomber with my very own namesake - a B-25 Mitchell Bomber named "Miss Mitchell! You can bet I had to snap a photo to share in the family group text – couldn't let such a cool moment slip away. This aircraft, a legendary piece of history, stood there with a kind of timeless grace that left me in awe. It was like a little nod from the universe, adding an extra sprinkle of magic to my week.

It wasn't just the machines that were everywhere you looked. There were so many resources for an aviator at any stage of their life. From an array of forums and classes open to all, to a dedicated army of volunteers who transformed four sprawling warehouses into a bustling hub of aviation-related vendors. Countless stories to share from veterans and companies who live and breathe aviation.

That week left an imprint on my heart – a collection of moments I won't forget. Meeting new friends who shared a love for aviation was the highlight. Each had their own unique stories and ways of getting into the aviation world. It was eye-opening, and it lit a fire in me to pursue getting my private pilot license.

Though the week was amazing, after 9 days under our belt, I was excited to head home to my furbaby. The journey back was an adventure in itself, but that's a story for another time. Overall, it was a week filled with experiences that brought life to the forefront. I'm already looking forward to going back next year, eager to make more memories.

So, to all the dreamers and aviation enthusiasts out there, mark Oshkosh on your map – it's an experience that will leave your heart soaring and your spirit forever changed. Until next time, Oshkosh, keep the skies clear and the dreams flying high!

Oshkosh Recap Video

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Items (or like items) we used for our trip that were lifesaving!

At our camp this year, we had:

• 3 pop up canopy tents

• 4 coolers (not all Yetis - but would have been better to have the ones that maintain ice for days) filled with waters, sodas and Gatorades, alcohols, and a food cooler.

• 10-ish lawn chairs that every fought over haha

• The (I'll admit expensive) waterproof tent and blow up mattress made nights very comfortable and would be the most important to me next to the canopy tents, coolers, and chairs.

• We had 2 pop-up tables for our 'kitchen' set up. (PSA: only propane grills are allowed at Oshkosh!)

• The solar-powered generator + solar power panels were amazing to keep devices charged and allowed me to work remotely!

• Definitely bring a few blankets! It got down to 55 degrees the first two nights and we were COLD.

• Portable, battery-powered fans saved the nights that were still and a little warm after a storm blew through and we were hunkered down in our tents.

• Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! I'm picky and don't like that sticky feeling or smelling like sunscreen so I enjoy the Hawaiian Tropic brand - plus I need a little room to tan ;)

• Of course, my emotional support backpack and water bottle went with me.

Everything else was breakfast foods, prepped meals, drinks, clothes from home (pack for cool weather and warm weather - tennis shoes are important), toiletries and shower things, pillows, a first aid kit, and anything else you personally need on a trip.

Reminder: Know your weight of camping gear when flying into Oshkosh

Keep in mind your weights if you plan to fly into Oshkosh with your personal aircraft. Most pilots know this, but it sucks to get to the hangar and realize you're AFT. We shipped our tent and got a lot of the other big stuff in Wisconsin (not everyone can do this, due to budgets, but it did help). We also connected with other friends who drove up and were able to help transport some big/heavy items.

Other Tips:

Food was VERY expensive on the grounds- although the cheese curds were AH-MAZING to this Texan - so we definitely relied on Walmart trips for food, WATER, and of course - alcohol to keep hydrated.

Our amazing friend rented a truck which was also life-saving for grocery store runs, picking up and dropping off our shipped items, running friends all over the campus (not recommended by volunteers), and cleaning up our campsite on the last day.

I highly recommend the Warbird section as I mentioned above, It had a lot of historical aircraft and veterans with stories to share and a well-stocked merchandising store (where I found my B-25 Mitchell shirt). Definitely walk through the Boeing Plaza and see the rare aircraft that come in and out throughout the week! This is the center of the grounds where a lot of traffic happens and the start of all the airline buildings and vendor warehouses.

I'm sad to report, the Chick-Fil-A line was NOT worth it at Oshkosh. It was so long, my meal was wrong, and the food wasn't that good. It was prepped and workers were overwhelmed with customers so I feel for them, but I can also get Chick-Fil-A at home any time (and we do weekly haha).

There was so much to do at Oshkosh from the vendors to the classes. I recommend downloading the EAA app where you can see all the available classes and schedules, where vendors are located, and any other ride-along flights or tours. The classes/forums you attend are based on your interests and aviation experience. As an unlicensed attendee, I found a few classes that were for beginners, but a lot were tailored to specific lessons. The ATC & You class was GREAT along with the Prepping for Your Checkride (again, as a pre-licensed pilot). Friends went to welding classes, weather classes, software launch classes, and other forums so find what speaks to you.

Until next time!

*First picture is not my picture unfortunately and I'm not sure who the original photographer is.