It was time to say goodbye to Wisconsin's Door County as we made our way to Oshkosh, WI, a short 139.9 miles (87,842.4 total). Like the UP in Michigan, we were sure this drive would be enhanced by the fall color, but then the crowds might be enough to spoil it - I suspect it will be worth the return trip someday.
Oshkosh is famous for two things (that I can remember) - Oshkosh B'gosh kids wear and the Oshkosh Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture fly-in. We were not here for kid's clothes. Joani chose our campground, Osh Vegas Palms Resort, for its proximity to the EAA - about 3 miles.
Hardly a resort, but the perfect location and he accepted Passport America (so, half price).
Experimental Aircraft Association Museum participates in the ASTC Travel Passport Program.
There were powered hang gliders and gyrocopters, bi-planes and the really wild - Rutan's crazy aircraft that was the first to fly around the world, non-stop, without refueling.
Airship One (or at least a mock-up) was there. A short documentary featuring the pilot who first took it into space and back described the experience. He took along a package of M and M's and released a handful when he achieved free fall (weightlessness) so he could see them floating around.
I had to suit up before taking a flight in one of the F-22's. Wait, that was just a cut out in front of a picture of an F-22. I'm pretty sure I would not have "the right stuff" to fly in one of those things.
There was a wing of the museum devoted to combat aircraft. The P-38 Lightning looked like it was fresh off of the production line ready for action.
There were a lot of WWII nose art recreations along with some history. Sweet Lorraine, below, decorated the boot cowl of a 1942 Stinson AT-19. When it was returned after the war the remnants of the painting were noticed and preserved. With a little imagination, you can see Lorraine on the original metalwork and in the replica beneath it.
Another of my favorites was Surprise Attack inspired by Gil Elvgren's pin-up entitled Double Exposure (the original pin-up included a mirror behind her).
There were 37 different pieces of nose art on display, each well documented with its history and inspiration. This was my favorite exhibit, it was fascinating!
Outside, a shuttle took us over to historic hangers filled with even more aircraft. The airplane, in the lower-left corner below, was limited to pilots shorter than the white sign at the lower right, about 3 feet, so I was excluded from the experience.
In one hanger, the museum had a replica of Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis. Personally, I think he was crazy crossing the Atlantic Ocean in that thing with no more instrumentation than he had at the time.
For a modest fee (I believe it was $75) you can take a ride in an authentic biplane. I might have to consider that the next time we visit.
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