Did that one year. Hauled jet skis up to families house on Lake Superior for a couple days then drove around the top of Lake Michigan down to Oshkosh for a few days. That is a long drive.

Yes, that is a key component. But if you drive across the midwest at all, you would be foolish not to have a transponder.

I have the pass.... In previous years, I never encountered much traffic on the Skyway but as you get closer into downtown traffic has often been brutal on 90/94.

Michigan has no toll roads...that I'm aware of. (maybe some short stretches in Detroit?)
No reason for me to get a transponder.

The Mackinac Bridge does have a toll...but everybody stops and pays.

A year after I bought my 911, I was in the north woods of Wisconsin for the 4th of July and, rather than drive it directly home back to Chicago, I took the very scenic route up to the UP, across to the shore of Lake Superior at Pictured Rocks, across the Big Mac, down the west coast and then home. Terrific trip in a long day.

I don't use ours often, but living in Ohio just south of the Ohio turnpike, it is handy to have when driving east to Port Clinton or Cleveland or west to Indiana with the boat or RV to Oshkosh. I have had ours for years and it is set to auto replenish via credit card so it requires no effort to maintain service. Sure is nice never having to worry about having proper change or bills to pay at some of the non occupied toll booths. The tolls are cheaper also on some toll roads when utilizing the electronic passes. We have two transponders. One that goes in our Tundra or Cayenne and the other is in our coach.

Those types of toll roads (as in the Ohio tpk), I have no problem with paying. You only pay once...when you get off the road.

The Skyway has what?...5 or 6 stops to pay in a 15 mile stretch. (I may be exaggerating)
I'll gladly drive the extra few miles around it.

I recently drove my 911 to the Poconos in PA. I got a EZ Pass for the trip. It is a stupid system, to have to slow to 15 MPH or less to go through the gate in insane.

Oklahoma had one of the very first systems for paying the toll called the PikePass. Before the EZ Pass was started we had the PikePass. It was box much like the EZ Pass, in the beginning. Yet we roll through at full speed, 70 or 75 depending on the turnpike. Now they just read the tag, if you have the account, it is a big discount, and still roll through at full speed, for everyone. The non account people just pay a higher rate.

When I set up my EZ Pass I used a credit card of course. I sent it back over a month ago, and canceled that account. I still have not received my "escrow" money back. When I set one up for Florida for their system, they refunded my balance right away.

294 is torn up, but at that time of night, headed north, I don't think this would be an issue.

I use it every ffew weeks going to Ohare and its not bad off hours.

Made it home from Oshkosh safe and sound. Took 294 on the way there on Thursday evening... Several slowdowns with crazy split lanes, but traffic was not too bad. Came home last night and went straight through the city at about midnight.... Couple tough spots due to construction but we made it without needing to slow down too often.

Ran into and chatted with fellow Pelican Scott (t6dpilot) out at his gorgeous Staggerwing Beech. (I stopped back Scott right after you started up and were pulling out)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1659052980.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1659052980.jpg

That's gorgeous!

Tim, it was fantastic to see you and meet your lovely wife! Thanks for stopping by to talk. That is the best part of Oshkosh - getting to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Safe travels getting back to OH. I had to bail Wednesday since I had to fly (work) Thursday. Was planning on heading up again Saturday, but got enticed into picking up another trip. Gotta pay for all that R985 gas!

Edit: I just saw that the first pic was taken as I was firing it up. Sorry I missed you! I was really focussed on getting out of there since I had to be wheels up in 25 minutes. Didn't know how long it would take to get out there. And I was in such a hurry, that I left my GDL-50 and Aera 660 in the back. That's why the marshaller came to help after I started. Don't. Be. In. A. Hurry.

You need to PM me your grass strip indentifier. Could be a must visit spot in the future. Already looking forward to next year. May have to rent a trailer in 2023.

I will PM you the old identifier along with lat/long. I was walking towards your plane when I heard it fire up... Did not want to freak out the marshallers guys by walking around front of you so I stayed back. We left that night. If you are ever over near NW Ohio by all means stop by for a visit.

I can't think of a better looking civilian aircraft.

Well done!

I read the history on Scott's airplane.... It was originally owned by the Navy.

I think I counted 6 Staggerwings at Oshkosh this year. Always been my favorite antique/classic. Back in the late 30's and 40's these were the cream of the crop for executive transportation.

I need to plan to go back in the next few years. I'll pick your brain when I get serious!

I have not missed one since my first in '92 or '93. The airplanes are great but I think I get more from seeing and camping with old airplane friends and the spectacle of this huge event. Many of these friends I only see once a year but airplane people become almost like family.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1659367498.jpg

vvv Very cool.

I was very lucky to have flown to a number of airshows in the 80's and 90's for static displays...even did some flight demos.

I was single in the 80's so I may be miss-remembering:cool:

Oshkosh set a record year for attendance, aircraft, and landings/takeoffs. 650,000+ visitors, 17,000 landings/takeoffs during the week, and aircraft attendance was up. I was pleasantly shocked with all that is going on economically and the cost of avgas. Greatest spectacle in aviation - period. Love it.

And to top it off, the Staggerwing was awarded Outstanding WWII Era Cabin Biplane. The blue Staggerwing took Antique Grand Champion and it was well deserved.

Congrats.... My wife was worried that we distracted you when the judges were at your plane. She will feel better knowing you still took away an award. :)

We got a bronze Lindy in '98 for our Pacer for Custom Classic 150hp class and in '01 I got the lowly "honorable mention" award for my Minimax. My wife's deceased first husband got champion award in about '92 for his plans homebuilt Pitts.

My wife knows more about what the judges look for than I ever did.... Her and her first husband had a business doing high end resto work on airplanes. She often walks around nice airplanes at Oshkosh and starts pointing out to me where the stitching knots were not buried or tapes were not straight etc etc.... I have often had to whisper to her to put her pointing finger away so as not to upset the airplane owner. :D