We flew down to Wisconsin on Saturday, July 25th. Terry enjoyed spending time with her many sisters in the Green Bay area. I was able to accomplish all the things I wanted to at the EAA Fly-In at Oshkosh. I only did perhaps 25% as much as I would have on previous years at Oshkosh, but that’s OK.

We stayed with Terry’s sister Sue, and her live-in partner Mike. Monday morning Mike and I drove to Oshkosh, and managed to navigate the incoming traffic to end up at the handicapped parking at the Red Lot, next to the warbirds. I got my reserved electric mobility scooter, and we headed off to Van’s tent to pick up my ticket for the dinner on Tuesday. Then we headed to the Aircraft Spruce booth to pick up the new baggage door lock I had ordered. About this time I realized that the scooter battery was draining very quickly - it was obviously defective. I headed back to the Vista booth, and traded it for another scooter. This scooter was also a bit ragged, but at least it had a better battery. Next time I will rent from the other scooter company, as their scooters looked to be in much better shape, were noticeably faster, and they were in a more convenient location next to the main gate.

Late Monday morning I went to an RV-8/8A builder/flyer get together at the Theater in the Woods. We have been having these gatherings every year for ten years or more. It is good to put faces to many of the online names. The highlight this year was congratulating Don McNamara on the first flight of his RV-8, the week before Oshkosh. Don took 13 years to finish his aircraft, and there were several times during the build when many of us gave up hope, as progress had apparently stopped. But he kept on getting back on that horse, and finally finished it. I spent too long standing up during the RV-8 meeting, and I could tell that my ankle was starting to swell, so Mike and headed back to Green Bay after lunch so I could give it a rest in a recliner.

Tuesday I went down to Oshkosh just before lunch, but couldn’t get parking in the Red Lot next to the warbirds, as it was full. I ended up in the Orange Lot, and took the shuttle bus to the main gate, then had to walk a fair way to catch the Yellow Tram, then transfered to the Red Tram. It took 45 minutes from the time I arrived before I could pick up my electric scooter. I spent the afternoon going through the vendor buildings and the RV parking area, then it took 75 minutes after I returned the scooter next to the warbirds to get back to the car before going to the Van’s builder’s dinner. I had to bail out in the middle of Terry Lutz’s interesting speech, as my ankle was starting to tell me that I needed to get it elevated ASAP. I learned the hard way a couple of weeks ago to not ignore swelling in my ankle.

Wednesday I didn’t go on the main EAA site at all, as my ankle was showing distinct signs of distress. I spent most of the day with it elevated to allow it to recover from the long day on Tuesday. I left Green Bay in the late afternoon and drove down to the EAA camping area to attend Bob Collins’ most excellent gathering of the clan.

Thursday I took it easy again, and Friday we flew home. I was absolutely amazed to find that all the metal hardware in my leg did not set off the airport metal detectors in either Ottawa or Green Bay.