Gramps and I decided to go to Oshkosh this year, which if you are not aware, is the biggest Air Show in the country – maybe the world. I’m not sure, but it’s pretty big.

We have been before and have even taken grandchildren. (See Camping With Teenage Boys 9-5-2013) But somehow, this year was different. We had originally hoped to take Mac, our 15 yo grandson with us, but Summer High School Band conflicted, so we decided to go by our lonesomes.

Off we started in the old reliable camper, now 17 years old! Our first stop was to visit cousins in Iowa for a couple days and of course, eat sweet corn, freshly picked. Nothing is better than fresh Iowa corn!!!

Then straight to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to find a spot in the field designated for camping with no hookups. Good thing we had our generator! It was a huge village of every kind of camper, van, RV and motorhome you could imagine with every accessory known to man.

Bicycles, scooters, golf carts, trams and buses were going by constantly, to say nothing of the stream of pedestrians. Our little village was certainly a busy one.

And may I add, a very pleasant one. Families, children, elderly, disabled all gently mixed with no cross words, no grumbling, no shouting. Everyone used kind language, humor and smilies at every turn.

Gramps and I felt safe and among friends everywhere we went. Young people were a polite as the mature and the old were having as much fun as the kiddos.

I’ve never seen such harmony in such a large group in my life. What a treat!

To Gramp’s delight we saw wonderful planes, planes and more planes. Some of the old WWII planes flew in huge formations that may never be seen again, It was very stirring to see.

The most fun was the WW II encampment where everyone was in uniform and stayed in character, even the USO girls and Nurses. How they found all the equipment and paraphernalia appropriate to the times is amazing.

We walked a lot, carried our lawn chairs, drank gallons of fluids and tried not to get sunburned. It all seemed to work pretty well.

Day two, a nice couple moved into the area next to us in the field. We met them, Mary and Tim and found we had a lot in common.

Mary loves quilting – like me! Mary is a retired nurse – like me! She has two children – like me! A boy and a girl – like me! Tim is a pilot and loves cars – like Gramps! So we did the logical thing – we went to dinner. For TWO HOURS!!! We talked, we laughed,, we touched. (Nurses touch people – it’s a thing!) We felt like we had known each other a lifetime.

And to make it even more special, it was our 53rd Wedding Anniversary. Gramps and I agreed it was one of the best in many years.

Now I have a new friend. That’s worth any kind of trip in my book.

The trip ended a day early due to a storm coming to Oshkosh. The prediction of strong winds and 2-3 inches of rain is more than this gal can tolerate in a camper, so home we came. Sad to miss the big night Air Show and fireworks, but practicality prevailed.

Two days on the road to get back home to record-breaking temperatures. Oh boy!

But I have always said that coming home is the best part of every trip.