EAA AirVenture 2012 - Day 6

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 6

Each afternoon the airshow begins, and certainly they never disappoint! Here are a few pictures:

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 6

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 6

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 6

We are fortunate to be able to see our good friend Brooks Erdman, his girlfriend Tonya, whom we had never met, and her two sons. We think they make a great looking family!

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 6

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 6

EAA AirVenture 2012 - Day 5

From Oshkosh EAA AirVenture Day 5

Friday already, and two more days to go. Today is the day we get to visit with good friend Dave Thomas, shown above. His son Jaxson had already left, and wife Stacey had a conflict and is unable to join us. We have a great visit and it is so good to see him after 3 years.

(Post Script: Tragically, we learned that 4 weeks to this day, Dave suddenly passed away. He was truly one of the good guys; he always had a smile on his face, never had a down comment, was always cheerful, and for as many years as we can remember, gave up is personal vacation time to volunteer at EAA operating the tug for the jets. He will be missed by many, many people for a very long time.)

With all the people attending this event, you would think we'd be jammed at the flight line trying to see the planes taxi by. In actuality, the flight line is so long, we can fit in almost everywhere. Everyone is pleasant and having a good time!

From Oshkosh EAA AirVenture Day 5

From Oshkosh EAA AirVenture Day 5

From Oshkosh EAA AirVenture Day 5

From Oshkosh EAA AirVenture Day 5

EAA AirVenture 2012 - Days 3 and 4

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 3 & 4

Today I'm including some of the pictures Bob took with my camera. He always finds the more interesting things and unusual aircraft.

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 3 & 4

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 3 & 4

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 3 & 4

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 3 & 4

While Bob is out having fun, I am amazed that each day, Tiazzi is visited by this little bird. The bird seems to have no fear of flying right toward her, and even seems to try to land on her head. I can only imagine she once lived with people who had a cat & lost his/her natural precaution to a predator. It's a very good thing for this bird there is a window between them.

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 3 & 4

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 3 & 4

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 3 & 4

EAA AirVenture 2012 - Day 2

From Oshkosh - EAA AirVenture Day 2

Today is the day we walk the entire flight line and take as many pictures of various types of aircraft as possible. I note the exceptional number of Piper Cubs present, and quickly find out this is in celebration of their 75th anniversary. Here's some pretty neat stuff:

 

EAA Airventure 2012 - Oshkosh WI

From Oshkosh Day 1 - Museum

In our many years of attending the EAA Airventure in Oshkosh WI, we have never encountered weather this hot. What a way to start day #1. Our best recourse is to visit the world class museum which is air conditioned.

From Oshkosh Day 1 - Museum

From Oshkosh Day 1 - Museum

From Oshkosh Day 1 - Museum

From Oshkosh Day 1 - Museum

The first thing we did was attend a presentation in the auditorium of using an iPad for navigation. We are surprised to find out that this is common, and we even get the scoop on adding a bluetooth connected GPS system to increase accuracy. Perfect - as Bob's new iPad which is not the model with 3G or 4G connectivity no longer comes with a GPS built in. Problem solved!

From Oshkosh Day 1 - Museum

After about 4:00 PM we decide to head over to Perkins for something to eat. With Popeye parked with no connections (we're dry camping for 8 nights) I'm not anxious to run anything other than the generator to provide some a/c during our stay. When we get into our Jeep and head out, the ambient temperature reads 107 degrees and the humidity ??? Unbelievable!

Touring Red Wing, Minnesota!

One of the most interesting and historic towns along the Mississippi River has to be Red Wing. It is well preserved, lovingly restored, and interesting to visit. As we take both a trolley tour followed by a car tour, the result is too many pictures (is that even possible?) for one post. Since historic information is readily available for Red Wing, I'm keeping this post to a minimum and inserting a slide show.

  

St. James Hotel, Red Wing, MN

From St. James Hotel, Red Wing Minnesota

Now in Red Wing, MN, home to shoes and pottery, our first stop is the old St. James Hotel. Here are a few pictures of the old interior.

From St. James Hotel, Red Wing Minnesota

From St. James Hotel, Red Wing Minnesota

Note the ceiling on the dining room. You don't often see these preserved as well as this.

From St. James Hotel, Red Wing Minnesota

From St. James Hotel, Red Wing Minnesota

The following pictures are all taken in the basement. The bar is still being used, and I find these antiques in the hallway. Fun to see!

From St. James Hotel, Red Wing Minnesota

From St. James Hotel, Red Wing Minnesota

From St. James Hotel, Red Wing Minnesota

From St. James Hotel, Red Wing Minnesota

Now it's off for a trolley and car tour of Red Wing.

Two Harbors MN - Birthplace of the 3M Company

From Two Harbors, MN

Two Harbors lies on the northwest shore of Lake Superior north of Duluth. It is a lovely drive from Duluth, with many interesting places to stop and view Lake Superior.

From Two Harbors, MN

This little building is the actual birthplace of the 3M company, otherwise known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing. The following pictures are taken inside, where a small but interesting museum has been set up. The first picture is especially interesting, one of the very first stock certificates issued.

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

A short drive around town brings us to this engine exhibit, right next to the train depot.

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

Shortly thereafter, we come across the Edna G., a retired tug boat now on display. We buy tickets and take a tour.

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

Bob poses with our tour guide. He does an outstanding job, relaying more stories than I can possibly pass along. If he looks a little beat, it's probably because the heat and humidity are insufferable.

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

We bid a fond farewell to the Edna G and move along to the Two Harbors Light Station. What an interesting and educational day!

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN

From Two Harbors, MN