BK1 Oshkosh 2005 – Hope I Never Get Used to This

In the last installment had met Buzz and Ed, my new friends from Canada and made my first trip up into Camp Scholler. The way things worked out on this trip would be going into that area daily. But for now it was Sunday and with AirVenture starting up Monday the place was buzzing with activity. But first, like every day there was the long walk from antique camping area into the show area. Now lots of planes were arriving and there were many hauling gear down the road as the Gators and golf carts just buzzed by. Looks like the early bird has to walk, and with all those parked, unused golf carts everywhere. Went to the Homebuilt Headquarters and ask if they knew who was in charge of the golf carts. They did not know but said that over at the main EAA HQ building someone might. There they directed me to the Ambassador’s tent near the shuttle turn around across from the Fly-Mart. The Ambassador’s is a volunteer group that uses 6 passenger golf carts to shuttle “special needs” folks around the grounds. They have walkie-talkies and a schedule for the drivers. Ask why there is no one out there before the shuttles began to run between 6:00AM and 8:00AM. “Well”, they said, “No one has volunteered for that early hour”. “So sign me up”, I said. They even gave me a neat red shirt with “Ambassadors” embroidered where the pocket is supposed to be. Since no one else is fool enough to be up at that hour, they gave me my own “early key” and told me where in Camp Scholler the Ambassador group camps so I could pick up the golf cart early Monday morning for my 2 hour’s duty. This is going to be fun!

It is real neat to walk around and watch all the tents being set up and the displays being unpacked. It is also a good time to even help a little while being able to ask questions of vendors without having to wait in line. A little about the weather now, I come from Texas, specifically from San Antonio, know for its hot and humid summers. Well on this day Wisconsin had nothing on Texas, even Houston at its worst could not compare to the temperature, humidity, and lack of even a slight breeze.

This seemed like a good day to spend inside at the EAA Museum. Last time only had a hour or so and spent most of that listening to Dick Rutan’s Voyager presentation. Today walked around slowly in the wonderful air conditioned building and spent time reading the information cards at each display. In a blink of an eye it was about 5 hours later and there was still much left to see. Have not been to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, so cannot draw a comparison, but the EAA has done a great job here and its well worth whatever time it takes to take it all in. One curious note is that in the engine display they had a VW on display, but there was no sign to identify it. Brought that to the attention of the museum staff, and next year will specifically go back and see if this oversight is corrected. In the theater they were previewing a HDTV show that is going on to the Outdoor Channel. Almost was able to stay awake through the whole thing, high definition TV does not make it more interesting, more about this later. Going outside to the bus, the oppressive air was like walking into the wall of a blast furnace.

Went back to the BK1 and found that there was already quite a bit of traffic. Began to perfect the pitch, most people ask the same questions, so it helps if you merge in the FAQ’s right from the start. That’s kind of how it works for me in most things, just jump in with the best guess, then begin to perfect the process. If you want to see the final product that I can recite in my sleep (think I did a few time that week) go to my web site and check the Frequently Ask Questions link. Just be glad I am resisting going into it right now.

The hours pass so fast out there watching plane and talking about my own creation. Next thing you know the sun is going down, your hungry, and have no idea where dinner is coming from. Mine is not a high dollar act, just a tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, and a bag of trail mix in case no food is found. About then the man I had been talking to for the last few minutes must have been reading my mind. He ask, “Where are you going for dinner?” “Have no idea” was my response. He said, “Come with me and I will take you someplace for dinner”. Have said this before, but cannot believe it can be said too often, “Hope I never get used to this”.

Thank, Bruce King

www.bkfliers.com

dbk4939@yahoo.com