If the title does not say it all for you, then you have some homework to do. I just got home from OSH ’23. I think I saw about half of what was there to see (if that), but it was an amazing week.

For the week, the busiest tower in the world was in our back yard. We were the second to last plane to land on Sunday night. I highly recommend that arrival time. There were 8 people (including us) on the ADS-B. If you know OSH arrivals, you know that is unheard of. After taxiing for about 2 miles, we reached the South 40 general aviation camping and set up the tents.

A visit to the Blue Barn, which is the home of the EAA chapters was in order for a number of reasons, most importantly, to pick up our banner for having given 1,000 Young Eagles flights! Chapter 1117 YE coordinators Darrel and Jim (cannot even begin to tell you how much I love these guys!), and YE Samantha (love her too!) were on hand to get our banner. Thanks for the Young Eagles 30th Anniversary pins, Jim! I will wear mine with pride.

We also have a chair in the barn, so a much needed rest was in order. I got 17,000 steps on Monday, so I was ready for the break. Tom asked if this was my throne at the fly-in. I had not thought of it that way, but I like the way he thinks.

Most of the week was spent walking, talking to people about cool aviation stuff, more walking, touring the Van’s tent, Garmin, Lycoming, and everyone else who will be selling me stuff for the build, walking, getting lost, walking, and watching airshows (before walking back to the campsite). Thank you Facebook for advertising orthotic shoes directly to me. I was a bit offended that they had decided I was of a certain age and needed orthotics until they were delivered. I may never wear anything else again.

Our campsite was at the end of the ultralight runway, so we got a daily show of the powered parachutes flying in and out. If you are not familiar with a powered parachute, it is a parachute (I hope you at least figured that out) with a chair and motor strapped to it so it can take off instead of being thrown out of a plane.

Our last evening was spent watching the night airshow. It was everything you would expect from the world’s biggest fly-in. F-18s, an F-35, Corsairs, a handful of homebuilts (equipped with sparklers and fireworks), T-6s, a B-29, a huge fireworks show, and best of all, some of the best company a girl could ask for.

The only thing missing was this portable air conditioner I saw a lady wearing. Yes I stopped her so I could take a picture and yes I already have one of these on order for next year.

We left before the tragic crashes on Friday, but my heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the four people who lost their lives doing what they loved. May they all find peace and comfort.

And may we all be well and see each other at OSH ’24!