Jay Honeck
Touchdown! Greaser!
Just six weeks until OSH, ladies and gents! We're already gearing up for two events this year designed by and for pilots:
1. 6th Annual Iowa City Fly-In Pool Party
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/iowa_city_pool_party.htm
Hard to believe it's been six years since you guys and gals helped us decide to build the only aviation themed hotel in the Midwest -- and it's "pay-back time"! For the sixth year in a row we'll be throwing the only fly-in pool party in the world, in thanks to all pilots who have helped us make our aviation dream a success.
Always held on the Saturday before OSH, we'll have food, refreshments, music, swimming, and hangar flying -- all FREE. We'll have the Penguin flight simulator set up so that you can practice the FISK approach into OSH (it's especially challenging after a few beers), and a good time is guaranteed for all.
We're close enough to walk from the airport -- but why bother? We'll come fetch you in our courtesy van, and zip you right to the front door of the inn. Spend a few hours, or spend the night. If we run out of room (which we do most years), you're welcome to pitch your tent on the property – free!
Then, on Sunday morning (not TOO early) we'll load up and fly into OSH together. Last year we had eight aircraft fly up (in loose, in-trail formation -- no Blue Angels stuff here!) together, which resulted in everyone being parked close together -- so the party could continue all week long!
Here are some pix from last year's party:
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/2007_fly-in_pool_party.htm
2. North 40 Party
Also for the sixth year, our campsite in the North 40 a OSH will serve as the base for the annual North 40 party. Put together with the invaluable assistance of this group's Jim & Tami Burns, Montblack, and Jack Allison, this annual shin-dig is a great chance to put a face with the names you see in these groups every day.
Admission is, as always, a 6-pack (or more) of GOOD beer, preferably from your home-base. Regional micro-brews are almost always met with enthusiastic approval. Extra points are awarded if you can't see through it! (Left coast exception: If you're from Kalifornia, regional wines are a suitable substitute. Just be prepared to take some serious razzing...)
This party is held on Wednesday during Airventure, right after the airshow. Because aircraft parking is "first-come, first-served" the location varies each year, but finding us is simple. Just go to the EAA North 40 check-in station (at the entrance to the North 40) and give them our "N" number or last name. They will give you our precise campsite number, and vector you in. (Note: Do this early in the day, or you may be surprised to find them closed. Randomly finding someone -- even a big party -- in the North 40 is "needle-in-a-haystack" stuff...)
Here are some pix from last year's party: http://www.alexisparkinn.com/2007_hops_party.htm
And from 2006:
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/wed_-_north_40_party.htm
And from 2005:
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/wednesday1.htm
And, the most famous picture of all, from the very first HOPS Party: http://tinyurl.com/6599f4
Well, you get the idea. Hope to see you at one or both!
1. 6th Annual Iowa City Fly-In Pool Party
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/iowa_city_pool_party.htm
Hard to believe it's been six years since you guys and gals helped us decide to build the only aviation themed hotel in the Midwest -- and it's "pay-back time"! For the sixth year in a row we'll be throwing the only fly-in pool party in the world, in thanks to all pilots who have helped us make our aviation dream a success.
Always held on the Saturday before OSH, we'll have food, refreshments, music, swimming, and hangar flying -- all FREE. We'll have the Penguin flight simulator set up so that you can practice the FISK approach into OSH (it's especially challenging after a few beers), and a good time is guaranteed for all.
We're close enough to walk from the airport -- but why bother? We'll come fetch you in our courtesy van, and zip you right to the front door of the inn. Spend a few hours, or spend the night. If we run out of room (which we do most years), you're welcome to pitch your tent on the property – free!
Then, on Sunday morning (not TOO early) we'll load up and fly into OSH together. Last year we had eight aircraft fly up (in loose, in-trail formation -- no Blue Angels stuff here!) together, which resulted in everyone being parked close together -- so the party could continue all week long!
Here are some pix from last year's party:
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/2007_fly-in_pool_party.htm
2. North 40 Party
Also for the sixth year, our campsite in the North 40 a OSH will serve as the base for the annual North 40 party. Put together with the invaluable assistance of this group's Jim & Tami Burns, Montblack, and Jack Allison, this annual shin-dig is a great chance to put a face with the names you see in these groups every day.
Admission is, as always, a 6-pack (or more) of GOOD beer, preferably from your home-base. Regional micro-brews are almost always met with enthusiastic approval. Extra points are awarded if you can't see through it! (Left coast exception: If you're from Kalifornia, regional wines are a suitable substitute. Just be prepared to take some serious razzing...)
This party is held on Wednesday during Airventure, right after the airshow. Because aircraft parking is "first-come, first-served" the location varies each year, but finding us is simple. Just go to the EAA North 40 check-in station (at the entrance to the North 40) and give them our "N" number or last name. They will give you our precise campsite number, and vector you in. (Note: Do this early in the day, or you may be surprised to find them closed. Randomly finding someone -- even a big party -- in the North 40 is "needle-in-a-haystack" stuff...)
Here are some pix from last year's party: http://www.alexisparkinn.com/2007_hops_party.htm
And from 2006:
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/wed_-_north_40_party.htm
And from 2005:
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/wednesday1.htm
And, the most famous picture of all, from the very first HOPS Party: http://tinyurl.com/6599f4
Well, you get the idea. Hope to see you at one or both!
, but now feel that we'd be ridiculed. One of the things I enjoy most about fly-ins is that everyone has a great time without booze and that seems healthy for the children. My kids don't drink alcohol. Neither do I.
We'd like to party and swim and meet and greet. Would we be welcomed or outsiders?
Good one Chris! 
