The week of Airventure Oshkosh week was hot and humid from Wednesday on. Like days earlier in the summer when smoke had migrated from Canada, air quality and visibility were reduced at times as well.
It was prudent to take time to do things and to find air conditioning when it was too bad.
Camping in a field does not have air close by usually. Luckily, I was able to find cooler air.
Taking the time to just soak up the cool air ended up being a relaxing way to pass the time and learn something about myself through another’s experiences.
Thursday morning started off hot, I got what I had to do at the campsite after the restorers and Rosie left for judging. There weren’t any exhibits or seminars that looked interesting enough to brave the heat, so I headed off in search of relative cold.
I waited for the last few minutes along with others in the growing line. As the doors opened, I found a cushy seat in a seating group with others including an older woman.
Mostly checking email and catching up on personal errands, the people around me were soaking up the relative cool and relaxing from the too-early heat and humidity forecast to go through the day.
The older woman dozed for a bit before waking up.
Not there with anyone, I asked what brought her to Airventure.
One of the oldest buildings on the convention grounds, it sits across from the old flight line entry gate, the brown arch. An area my new friend told me used to be camping adjacent to the military aircraft airplanes, also known as warbirds, at the first Oshkosh’s she attended.
In some circles, learning how to fly is a given. While not on her radar as a child she made up for it with the support of her husband.
Young and newly married, her husband had a pilot’s license and encouraged her to take a few lessons. As she was concerned about money, she agreed to only a few lessons not getting her license. When her lessons were done, her husband encouraged her to sign up for some more, then some more until she got her license.
Eventually getting her own airplane, my new friend Margaret would fly a Cub into Rockford for the air show from her home in Michigan in the years before EAA moved the yearly gathering to Oshkosh.
She mentioned how much she fell into it just by being at the right place at the right time. Her husband had been supportive of her all along and encouraged her to fly even when she did not feel she was ready.
When a new aircraft arrived on their field, she pushed herself outside of her comfort zone by flying this airplane which only held one person; the first time she flew it she would have no one to check her out ensuring she was proficient.
The airplane, a Corben Baby Ace, is an older open cockpit, high wing design not as well known today. Some other ladies were uncertain about flying the airplane for that reason, but she persevered and was rewarded with a smooth flight.
Margaret said she was glad her husband suggested and supported her flying as she had not even considered it before then. What started with their adventure has impacted their kids and grandkids. She said her granddaughter is now a pilot as well which was why she was at AirVenture again, to watch and support her in the air show.
The chance conversation reminded me we will have times when we have to do something on our own initially, not having room for a guide on our journey.
During those times the challenges we have encountered earlier will help us make our way.
We impact those around us daily, in large and small ways. Sometimes it’s by showing another way of life others it’s to encourage a leap of faith.
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