As far as I was concerned, this was the best Airventure since I started attending in 1999. To use a well-worn cliche, there's just something about Oshkosh.

I didn't get to any of the forums, I didn't do a lot of shopping. What I did was walk around and meet people. Or sometimes they just walked around and met me.

The idea of the BBQ surfaced a few years ago as a way to get people connected who share a common interest.

The "magic" started early when, after I set up the campsite, a large motorhome pulled in. The driver opened his door and took note of the sign that advertised the BBQ and said, "can RV6 builders come?"

"Did the box have a return address of Oregon?" I replied.

It was Frank Zwart of Kalamazoo, Michigan and two of his friends. And, let me tell you, couldn't ask for better Oshkosh neighbors. What happens at Oshkosh is, simply, magic.

I'd like to thank Marshall Alexander, an RV10 builder from Oklahoma, who provided the large tent canopy for our gathering. Marshall let me take the tent back to Minnesota, to be used every year for the BBQ. Thanks, Marshall!

I spent most of Monday and Tuesday at Wal-Mart, buying supplies and then food. Putting this thing on takes a lot of experience and planning. The only problem is I don't have any experience at planning these get-togethers.

How much food to buy? I knew about 60 people had said they were coming, but how much food does 60 people eat? I didn't know. Now I have a better idea.

But it worked out well, I think, and I have some ideas for the next barbecue next year. First, we'll provide hamburgers and cheeseburgers. And we'll also have corn-on-the-cob.

I'll also trying to figure out how to get a quiet generator on the scene, so we can provide a little more lighting once the sun goes down. And I'll try to get a campfire going (there was a ban this year because it was too dry). Once the sun goes down, it can get a little chilly, especially if you're like our friends from Tucson who have been living with 115 degree temperatures all week.

My son, and his friend, Mark, tried to make one by dumping the entire bag of charcoal into the grill, but that didn't have the same appeal as some roaring wood.

I'd also like to arrange some sort of transportation to get people to and from the site. And I'll definitely have more signs to point people to us. (We'll be in exactly the same sport next year.)

On Thursday evening, I was sitting under the canopy reading, when a beer appeared on the table next to me. It was a gentleman from Washington state who had just arrived. Knowing I was an RV7A builder (the sign was still up), he stopped by to chat. He had hoped he had arrived earlier so he could've attended, but promised that perhaps next year he would.

Folks found out about the BBQ through various means. This Web site, or course, Doug Reeves' various enterprises, the RV list and Van's, which put a note of it on their Web site.

I was walking along the flight line on Tuesday when the cellphone rang. It was someone who got my name and numbr from someone else and was wondering if there was a hospitality tent somewhere for RV7/7A builders. I told him I didn't think so but he was welcome to attend the BBQ on Wednesday.

He said he was leaving Wednesday morning. So I told him that folks seem to be stopping by the BBQ site to check it out and maybe he'd like to stop by too and maybe he'd meet someone.

An hour later, the phone rang again. he was at the campsite. I was watching the airshow. It pointed up the need for a gathering spot for RV7/7A fans so perhaps next year we can lay in some provisions and make it an informal spot during the week, with the big bash on Wednesday.

I'm open to ideas and suggestions, so please send them along.

We'll see you next year!

-- Bob Collins