ajs777
Novice
My uncle took me to my first air show when I was just a boy. It featured the Blue Angels, so last weekend we decided to return to Virginia Beach for the Blue Angels' Bicentennial Celebration of the War of 1812 Air Show.
This time we camped at First Landing SP, which is far enough away from Oceana's runway that jet noise isn't a problem. The campground is well maintained with all the usual amenities. Plenty of trails to hike and bike and a beach. However, the beach is on the Chesapeake Bay, not he ocean. But if you must have an ocean view beach they're within a few minutes drive of camp. You can't reserve a site so you might want to arrive early to scope it out. All the electric sites were booked when we made our reservation, but we got lucky and found B15 open when we drove through. Be aware, not all standard 20' sites at First Landing are conducive to trailers.
When we arrived Friday afternoon the weather was beautiful, however the remains of tropical storm Beryl (and possible tornado) were forecasted to pass through later that night. So with anticipation I guyed out the Alcove and side tent, I even guyed out the center section of the tent to help shed the rain. In my infinite wisdom I decided to forgo the two additional clips along the leading edge of the tent to see if the center guy would do the job. Boy, did I make a major tactical error! Around 9pm the thunder and lightning started off in the distance, around 10pm the rain started and everything was holding up nicely, I was really proud of myself. Then the sky opened up and the wind picked up, so for the next hour or so I was running back and forth pushing water off the sagging tent to keep it from collapsing... did I mention Michelle and Duke retired to the cabin with the first hint of thunder. The rain came in waves and I desperately wanted to put the clips on the shelter, but I couldn't remember where I put them. Eventually, the rain subsided and I found the clips. We're fortunate enough to have weather radar as part of our GPS in the Flex and we knew there was another band of thunderstorms right behind this one. So on went the clips and guy lines and I joined Duke and Michelle... I'd deal with the aftermath in the morning
I'm not sure of the amount of rain that fell with those two storms but I could see the wakes made through the standing water on the road as traffic came into camp. Although not as long as the first storm, the second was just as intense. The extra clips and guy lines made a big difference, there was no pooling or sagging... everything that hit the Alcove ran off and it and the side tent didn't budge in the wind.
the next morning we awoke to this ...so off to the air show.
Air Force Heritage Flight - WWII P-51 Mustang @ 80% power and an F-22 @ 20% power. Pretty impressive to see them in the same picture ...and let the show begin!
a little perspective ...and credit to Michelle, she did all the camera work so I could enjoy the show.
This time we camped at First Landing SP, which is far enough away from Oceana's runway that jet noise isn't a problem. The campground is well maintained with all the usual amenities. Plenty of trails to hike and bike and a beach. However, the beach is on the Chesapeake Bay, not he ocean. But if you must have an ocean view beach they're within a few minutes drive of camp. You can't reserve a site so you might want to arrive early to scope it out. All the electric sites were booked when we made our reservation, but we got lucky and found B15 open when we drove through. Be aware, not all standard 20' sites at First Landing are conducive to trailers.
When we arrived Friday afternoon the weather was beautiful, however the remains of tropical storm Beryl (and possible tornado) were forecasted to pass through later that night. So with anticipation I guyed out the Alcove and side tent, I even guyed out the center section of the tent to help shed the rain. In my infinite wisdom I decided to forgo the two additional clips along the leading edge of the tent to see if the center guy would do the job. Boy, did I make a major tactical error! Around 9pm the thunder and lightning started off in the distance, around 10pm the rain started and everything was holding up nicely, I was really proud of myself. Then the sky opened up and the wind picked up, so for the next hour or so I was running back and forth pushing water off the sagging tent to keep it from collapsing... did I mention Michelle and Duke retired to the cabin with the first hint of thunder. The rain came in waves and I desperately wanted to put the clips on the shelter, but I couldn't remember where I put them. Eventually, the rain subsided and I found the clips. We're fortunate enough to have weather radar as part of our GPS in the Flex and we knew there was another band of thunderstorms right behind this one. So on went the clips and guy lines and I joined Duke and Michelle... I'd deal with the aftermath in the morning
I'm not sure of the amount of rain that fell with those two storms but I could see the wakes made through the standing water on the road as traffic came into camp. Although not as long as the first storm, the second was just as intense. The extra clips and guy lines made a big difference, there was no pooling or sagging... everything that hit the Alcove ran off and it and the side tent didn't budge in the wind.
the next morning we awoke to this ...so off to the air show.
Air Force Heritage Flight - WWII P-51 Mustang @ 80% power and an F-22 @ 20% power. Pretty impressive to see them in the same picture ...and let the show begin!
