Something to prove

Over Labor day our family went camping in Dubuque Iowa. We headed that way mostly for a mountain bike trail system called Proving Grounds. The park came to existence in 2018 from land donated by John Deere. The area was the original proving grounds (testing area) established for John Deere Dubuque Works. It has since been transformed into a premier mountain biking destination. So of course the Voigts family had to check it out!

But first, on the way west we hit up the Alpine slide at Chestnut Mountain in Galena on the way to Dubuque. 

At the top

At the bottom

  

Going back up

Our campsite base location was the Swiss Valley campground. 

We arrived Friday night and early the next morning we found our way to the Proving Grounds. The trails were in great shape:

We also hit up another trail system in Dubuque called Interstate Power Preserve (IPP according to the local shredders):

And there was one more that we tried in Dubuque called Cloie Creek Trail:

Last but not least, on our way home we made a pass through Platteville WI to visit Lima Union Cemetery. I think Grandma Voigts would approve of our family camping and mountain bike riding adventures. We sure do miss her.

Summer living at The Triple V

This is a bit overdue but I've been busy and now it's back to school. But for the record, we had an awesome summer and here are some of the highlights of summer living at The Triple V:

So proud of this kiddo, he donated 14” of hair to Wigs for Kids!

Fiesta Days in McHenry where Gavin learned that he loves roller coasters.

Great America

Liam’s fishing trip with Grandpa V and Mary Beth 

Back to school pool party

Spending quality time with one of my besties at Lake Geneva Ziplines &Adventures

Hurricane Harbor in Rockford

Dinosaur Discovery museum in Kenosha

Summer concerts in the park

A Day at Brookfield Zoo with family

Volcano Falls (laser tag, go carts & mini golf)

First Day back to school (Liam=8th grade, James=5th grade, Gavin=pre-K at The Learning Tree)

Last but not least, after 18 years and 4 months with AIG, I am joining another company in <2 weeks. I have nothing but great things to say about my former employer. I will cherish the memories, having built ever-lasting relationships. I have learned so much about the personal lines insurance industry and, more importantly, about myself. I'm not quite starting over, as my new company (Chubb) is in the same business, and my position will be similar, as will many of my colleagues and clients. But I would be lying if I didn't say I was a bit nervous as I start this next chapter in my career. I hope I can look back at this blog in another 18 years and remember fondly the summer of 2022!

Airventure 2022

Camping in Osh Kosh, WI, and attending the EAA Airventure, is a Voigts Family tradition. My first Airventure was in 2001, the first year Alex and I started dating. And over the years we have created SO many memories, as a couple before kids, with babies in tents, and now in our new camper! The camping atmosphere is hard to describe; where else do hundreds of thousands of campers set up in open acres of space!? It’s quite “cozy.”

There is always (always!) a crazy storm during Airventure. Gets the campground nice & muddy, then turns the summer weather nice & muggy!

Many of the attendees arrive in their private planes and park in the airplane campground, where there is row after row of pup tents pitched under wings!

But while the camping is unique, the best part are the hundreds of airplanes on display. Old warbirds, homebuilts, ultralights, aerial performance aircraft, rc planes and the newest technologies. With air shows every day, night shows including the BEST fireworks, helicopter rides, skywriting, and hot air balloons, the sky is alive constantly during the convention. 

World's busiest control tower (not kidding, it really is for a short time busier than ORD LAX or JFK!)

Massive crowds this year.                        Red Bull Skydivers were awesome!

James getting his first helicopter ride.         Warbirds with impeccable timing.                                                                   

WARBIRD ALLEY. God Bless America.

The pedal planes are always a hit with the kiddos. We have 3 out of 5 that can still fit (though looking at these pictures it might be the last year for LPV).

The military pilot of this helicopter did not look much older than Gavin....

This crew had a lot of fun together.

Aviore, the aviation superhero of course!

Grandpa dreaming that one of these grandkids will take up aviation as a hobby!

Night Air show:

Photo credit: EAA website

Why yes, that IS an airplane with fireworks shooting off the wings!

I wish I could recount all the years we've spent at Osh Kosh, but I haven't been blogging long enough. It's a lot. But coming back after a 3 year break...well, if felt so familiar, so right. Like coming home.