Dear friends:

Thank you for registering for the 2006 RVers BBQ at Camp Scholler during AirVenture 2006. We have over 150 people showing up so far, not counting those who might decide to stop by at the last minute. This is more than double last year. We hope we haven't bitten off more than we can chew, so be patient if we're a little slow on the food line. There's nothing fancy in the accomodations(See the Flash slideshow from last year with about 60 people). We urge you to bring your own chairs (those portable ones are great!). There's a few volunteer opportunities if you'd like to help out. See below. (We really could use a second portable propane grille.)

Stein Bruch of SteinAir has made a generous contribution to the event. You'll be able to talk to Stein, who also hopes to bring along Jim Younkin of TruTrak and a few Chelton folks. That evening, over at the West End store, they'll be showing Air Force One on the big outdoor screen. Harrison Ford, who starred in the film, will be on hand, to introduce the flick starting at 8:30 p.m. (More)

This letter is designed to give those of you who may be attending for the first time, a little lay of the land about AirVenture and directions for finding us. Quite a few of you are not staying at Camp Scholler and, unfortunately, the EAA set-up is not particularly great. Where you have to park is a fair distance so be aware of that.

FOOD

You know by now, of course, we'll be cooking up some hot dogs, brats, chicken, and hamburgers (cheeseburgers). We'll have beer, soft drinks and water and, yes, this year I'll remember to bring a corkscrew for those of you bringing wine.

Depending on how far ahead of the game I get during set-up (and how much money I have), I may try to get some potato salad or cole slaw but if your last name is between A and M, and you have the means, bring a salad or something. If that's not convenient, I understand. Don't worry about it. If your last name is between N and Z, some sort of dessert-like thing would be helpful.

We're planning on buying beer,lemonade, Coke, Diet Coke, and water. If you have a beverage preference (including one not listed), please let me know ASAP.

We'll start the grill around 5:45. Have I mentioned: we really could use another propane gas grille?

THINGS WE NEED

Umm... let's see. Oh, yes! We need a second portable propane gas grille.

We have no tables except that to put condiments and a few things on. If you're staying at the campground and you have an extra table that you can bring over on Wednesday morning, that would be great!

I don't have any plans for lighting once the sun goes down (around 9:30) so if you have a small generator you can bring, maybe I'll run and buy some of those cheap party lights.

I thought we might be able to get a little music jam session going (I got the idea from the Ercoupe party last year in the South 40), but we only had one banjo picker volunteer. So, last chance, if you've got a musical instrument for some old fashioned fireside music, let me know. Otherwise, not a problem.

NAME TAGS

Not everyone is comfortable meeting folks for the first time, so I'm planning to make up some nametags that will be waiting for you when you arrive (Oh, I also need a volunteer to hand these out). If you're bringing a guest, please e-mail me with their full name so I can have a nametag ready for them too. If you want to see who else is coming, we have a list available online.

WHERE WE'LL BE
I've already put some information on the official BBQ page, but I may need to clarify a few things.

First, I'm planning on arriving on Friday the 21st and experience tells me that I won't have much problem finding a spot where were last year -- 12th and Lindbergth. (See map). For those of you who have been to AirVenture before, this is out in the field, south of the West End store, a 3 or 4 minute walk from the Camp Locator. This year I promise to deliver a stack of fliers and maps to the great folks who staff the Camp Locator. Last year they had a lot of folks stop by asking for us. I won't know, of course, until I get to Oshkosh exactly where we are, so if you'd like to call ahead of time to double-check, I can be reached at 651-246-5564. Also, if you're staying at Camp Scholler, why not stroll by anytime after 5 on Friday and sit a spell?

DRIVING

A fair number of you are staying off-site and, presumably, driving. I don't know if you'll be coming to the BBQ after a day on the AirVenture grounds or making a special trip that evening from wherever you're staying, so telling you exactly what to do is a little problematic. But I'll try.

If you're driving that evening, park in the Blue Lot (See map) . If it's before 5 p.m., Liz Tellock at EAA said you'll have to pay the normal parking charge (I believe it's $6). I've made up a placard to put in your car window. From there, walk south (see blue dotted line on map) to right across from the Red Barn (near the showers). There's a sign for "Camp Scholler shuttle bus." Get on any bus. They ask for a donation of 25 cents. The bus takes the route outlined by the green dashes, goes up around the West End store (the main stop) and then back around and up Stits Ave., past the Camp Locator. Get off at the next intersection (Lindbergh) and walk toward the highway. By now you should see signs directing you.

Alternately, you can park in Lot S, which is overflow parking for the campground. If you want to do this, you have to purchase a sticker at the main camp entrance off the frontage road. The booth that sells them is on the ride side as you drive in and all those nice people say, "Welcome to Oshkosh." Just tell them you're buying a sticker for overflow parking and they'll direct you. Once you have the sticker, you can turn around, go back south on the frontage road to the West entrance (it's the next one) and you park in the lot to the right of the guard shack and walk down that road (Shank Ave.) until you get to 12th Street and take a right and keep walking until you hear a lot of RV chatter and smell the BBQ. That's us.

Later in the evening, when you're ready to go, I can probably shuttle you in the car back to the Blue Lot. Just tug on my arm and tell me you need a lift.

CAMPING WITH YOUR PLANE

All of this, of course, depends on where you are. You could be anywhere from the North 40 to the South 40. Probably the best thing to do is take the tram (believe me, by Wednesday you'll understand the tram system) to near the Theater of the Woods (just South of Exhibit Halls B & D), exit at the East Gate (near the bike corral) and walk up Shank Ave until you get to the Red Barn and follow the directions above. The map I've marked up should be helpful to you.

FROM WITHIN CAMP SCHOLLER

I firmly expect that those of you staying at Camp Scholler will have stopped by to say hello before Wednesday, but if not, see the map. Don't drive your car over, but scooters, bikes and golf carts should be fine.

THINGS TO BRING

As I indicated, we could use tables. Bring your own chairs. If you've got a builder's logbook, folks often like to sit and leaf through those. Bring any additional food or beverage you wish. If you're going to be around as early as Tuesday, we're REALLY going to need some extra coolers for the food. If you can stop by as early in the week as possible and let me know you've got one, that'd be very helpful. Otherwise, I'll have to buy some over at WalMart and probably toss 'em in the dumpster after the BBQ since I won't have room to bring them home. That'd be a waste.

I'm hoping to be able to haul over a grille that has two additional burners. My wife says that won't be enough for 126+ people. If you're camping at Scholler and you've got an extra propane grille, let me know.

WHAT IF IT RAINS?

Oshkosh is always good for at least one gully-washer a year during AirVenture, so we'll keep our fingers crossed. But it hasn't rained that much here in the upper Midwest this summer. Bottom line, though: if it rains, we're pretty well screwed. We can all huddle together under the canopy. We'll get real wet. And we'll have another story to tell.

FINALLY

We want you to have a good time. Please introduce yourselves, look for the stray person with nobody to talk to and introduce 'em around and make them feel comfortable. We're all bonded by our projects, but this is the evening we get to know each other better as individuals. If this year is like past years, you'll be amazed -- amazed -- by the variety and backgrounds. And hopefully the evening will be the highlight of your visit to Oshkosh. I know it will be for me.

If I can be of any more service or answer questions at all, please do not hesitate to write me, or call me at 651-246-5564.

Regards,

Bob Collins