Who did I meet???

[vjm1639]

We were camping this past weekend at Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay and met a super nice guy and his son. Turns out the guy is a member of PUT but says he doesn't post much. We spoke briefly on Friday evening as we were starting our set up routine, then on Saturday afternoon we had a little excitement with our awning blowing over the top of the PU...WITH the CAST IRON torch holders attached to the legs (like Traci uses!!!!) We were soooooo fortunate that the wind took it all the way over the top of the camper. It did make two dings on the back side where the iron stands hit the camper....which is never a good thing, but nothing was seriously damaged. One of the awning poles was slightly bent but DH was able to play around with it and get it pretty much back to normal. BUT...as soon as all this happened, this really nice guy from PUT and his son came running over to help us lift the awning back over the top of the PU. On Sunday morning we wanted to go over and thank him and find out his PUT name but by the time we got back from a trip to Walmart (to buy some heavy duty tie downs) he was gone. I'm hoping he'll read this message and respond! We certainly did appreciate his help!!
 
As a learning tip though....I'll never ever leave the awning to just something heavy holding it on the ground...it will be tied down from now on with our heavy duty holding straps in addition to the iron stands!! We have been through several pretty decent storms with rain and wind and never had the awning even act like it would blow away...then on one of the absolutely most gorgeous days we've ever had camping one big gust of wind came across the river and just took that awning for a ride....we were very, very fortunate that more wasn't damaged!!

[tlhdoc]

Sorry to hear about the damage to your PU.  If it is windy I stake the torch base to the ground to keep the awning from moving.  I also lower the awing so that it is harder for the wind to get under it.

[vjm1639]

Yep...oddly enough, it wasn't actually very windy..there was a slow steady wind, but nothing I'd ever have worried about. We've been through some pretty quick moving, surprising storms in the past and never had a problem. Of course, normally if it's really windy, we just don't even bother putting up the awning.  This was just a freak gust that must have caught the awning just right (we did have a beautiful prime spot right in front of a lake with the river off to our left). It didn't even blow my magazines off the table.   I was amazed that the torch stands didn't even come off!  Even though they are what made the dings in the side of the camper, they are also more than likely what gave it the momentum to go COMPLETELY over the top and saved us from any damage to the tenting, the top of the PU, the air conditioner. ..etc...we were lucky.  I don't think we'll ever use the awning without our new  heavy duty tie downs though.

[forestwalker]

We sure got bonked a couple years ago.One of the poles put a good sized dent in the roof of our new,then,Starcraft.Since then,I've advised people to use really heavy weights,and a tie down system.Also I wouldn't
set up the awning,if the wind is much more than 30 mph.

[fintastic5]

That was my son and I. I'm sorry for your mis-hap. I'm sure you would have done the same for us. I stress to my son, Sam, to always help any one in need, just the basics of what goes around..........

[tlhdoc]

I am glad the mystery is solved.

[birol]

I love the feeling of cumminty in here, everyone helping each other !

I hope you guys can keep it up because I might need help setting up the tent at the rally if I come only with DD

[forestwalker]

That was my son and I. I'm sorry for your mis-hap. I'm sure you would have done the same for us. I stress to my son, Sam, to always help any one in need, just the basics of what goes around..........

   GOOD JOB KEEPING THE "CAMPING SPIRIT" ALIVE.I'm sure that there are many of us out here who treasure camping neighbors whose behavior is grounded in positive values.In fact,I bet that similiar experiences are part of the attraction of camping for most of us.Thanks !

[angelsmom10]

I am glad the mystery is solved.

1 down --- 1 more to go

[birol]

We will get to the bottom of the opther one too ! It might take a year but we sure will ! Everyone will be on the lookout for this TV and PU combination now  :eyecrazy:

1 down --- 1 more to go

[vjm1639]

That was my son and I. I'm sorry for your mis-hap. I'm sure you would have done the same for us. I stress to my son, Sam, to always help any one in need, just the basics of what goes around..........

YEA!!! SUPER... Thanks again so much and that son of yours is adorable! So polite too!  
 
Maybe we'll see you guys there again sometime.