More Wisconsin

One last night at the Elks with Sheri (where we hilariously won a local knowledge quiz even though we've never been here before!) and off we go again.

Oshkosh is HQ to the Experimental Aircraft association.

Oshkosh to the airplane nut (Like me) is almost hallowed ground. The headquarters of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is here. EAA is the organization for people who build and fly their own airplanes, often in their basement or garage, For 2 weeks a year when they have their national convention here the little airport that serves Oshkosh becomes the busiest airport in the world! Then afterwards it is just a sleepy little airport again.

This unique homebuilt airplane is called "Pushy Galore" because the propeller pushes instead of pulls

Experimental aircraft come in all shapes and sizes from gliders and biplanes to warplanes and jets. We are a month too early for the big event but it's a nice quiet time to see the museum.

On display was a large collection of WW2 original "Nose Art"

The last time I came here was for a quick visit between arriving in Milwaukee and visiting a ship there, I barely had time to run around the museum. This time we spent most of the day in the museum and across the other side of the runway in Pioneer Airport where they display aircraft built back in the 20's and 30's. Our grand kids would love this place, they and their Dad are airplane nuts like Grand Dad.

All sizes of pilot catered for here!

There was a tremendous farmers market downtown on Saturday that stretched for about ½ mile. Lots to see and sample, Barbara bought some vegetables and I got some Cheese Curds, a must try if you're in Wisconsin. By coincidence we also explored several brew pubs and the Elks Lodge where we were invited to come and camp in their parking lot after we leave the present campground.

There is a large collection of vintage aircraft mostly in flying condition.

We saw in one of the brochures an Art Gallery/Garden called the Paine Mansion. They had an exhibition of Tiffany glass and lamps. Unfortunately they didn't allow pictures but I did take some in the gardens.

The Paine mansion grounds

The downside of this was the campground Circle R. It was expensive at $45 a night but they had 1 full hookup site left so we took it. No discounts as it was an “Event Weekend”, the Country USA concert was not too far away. The park wasn't full by any means. It seemed to be mainly seasonal campers and some spaces were well run down.

Formal garderns

Granted it's rained pretty hard the last couple of weeks but the roads were very muddy and the sites rutted. They were also very narrow.

Some paintings from here I think

When I came to hook up I noticed the sewer connection in the ground was cracked and there was water standing in the pipe. I put it down to the rain and didn't open the tank valves. Next day the lady next door came running over and yelled “You sewer is spilling everywhere”. Well no it wasn't my sewer tanks. The sewer line was backed up and sewage was coming up out of the drain, luckily for us (Not for her) it flowed away from us but puddled in her space! (YUK). I went to see the office and they were NOT helpful. “We're not calling anyone today they charge extra for Sunday” and “I started fixing it but my generator broke so there's nothing I can do”. 
We were leaving Monday anyway so there was nothing we could do except dump on the way out, just avoid Circle R if you are in Oshkosh.

Maybe not Mobey Dick but we had fun together

One pleasant surprise was going fishing again for the first time in over a year. I like the calming feel I get from standing on the side of a river casting a lure and hoping to feel the tingle of a fish nibbling at the bait. 

It's very relaxing and Barbara gets me out of her hair for a couple of hour too! Unfortunately being a full timer means that wherever we are I have to buy a non resident fishing license which in many states is extortionately expensive. What a nice surprise to find that in Wisconsin they have a program for first time fishing license buyer, resident or non resident that makes buying a 1 year license cheaper than a 15 day one! Well done Wisconsin! I dug out my fishing gear and tried my luck on Lake Winnebago. I even caught a fish. Not big enough t keep though so I sent it back to grow some more.

We had a quick overnight at the Cabellas store in Green Bay, WI. They allow overnighting at the right rear of the store. No hookups but they have a dump station where you either pay at the station with a credit card, or if you make a purchase at the store you get a free dump! Worked for us, and thanks Cabellas.

Huge street market in downtown Oshkosh

We actually had reservations at our next stop! Sturgeon Bay WI or to be more accurate Little Sturgeon Bay which is about 5 miles outside the city itself.

It's the July 4^th holiday, always a busy time at campgrounds and essential to make reservations for. 

Just to be on the safe side we have reserved 9 nights at the Countryside Motel and RV park. This is one of those places where if you look it up on http://www.rvparkreviews.com/ has a glowing review. But only 1 review which makes me suspicious. They did have availability though which several other campgrounds didn't. They didn't have sewer hookups and there were no laundry facilities onsite either. 

In fact it looked quite overgrown in places with weeds popping up on the gravel roads. The owners were very friendly and welcoming which is always nice and we spent some time talking about the joys and challenges of full timing. We will have to see how it looks after we go thru the joys of going offsite to dump before we post our own review.