pitchin' a tent

[vernacular_life]

After going through 2 umbrellas at the beach last year, I gave up and ordered a sunshade/tent thing.  We got it this weekend and opened it up only to see that it was bigger than we thought it would be.  Ya think it's TOO big? 






The beach at Nags Head is kind of narrow, but there's usually a good bit of space between groups of people.  We've got to have some type of cover for Sammy, and I like to have something to nap under, and I think the one we have is preferable to a true canopy like this  (plus its WAY cheaper)  Most of the sun shelters I've seen look like this, which is more of a tent to me..

So whaddya think? Will we look stupid? Should I care?

Comments

[vernacular-life.livejournal.com]

does yours automatically open?

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

To me, having shade at the beach is never stupid. Never, ever. Last year, our group had two structures - like the one you linked to from REI, but ones where you put the poles together instead of it popping up on it's own (cheaper). The problem with that style is that it's bulky, and you have to be very diligent about staking it down (they get picked up by the wind easily). Some people use the dog tie stakes (the ones that screw into the ground) as extra stakes/tie down. They don't pull out of the sand as easily.

I like structures that are the kind of weird triangular/trapezoidal ones that are stretched between poles - when they are close to the ground, you get lots of shade.

What happened to your umbrellas. Did they collapse or blow away?

[vernacular-life.livejournal.com]

our umbrellas from last year broke in the wind, then scared the crap out of the dog (and my grandma), both of whom refused to sit near them after they were reassembled!

I've seen the trapezoidal ones -- I think those were popular on the Austrailian sites I pulled up -- but the ones I saw were about 4x what I paid for this one...

I like the screw-in dog stake idea to supplement the stakes. Those are pretty sturdy.

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

PS: check out this site:
http://www.shadeusa.com/beach_cabanas.htm

[ee-chick.livejournal.com]

I think that if it will fit easily on the beach, it looks great. There's actually enough room for people and pooches, and it looks easy to put up. Nice!

[vernacular-life.livejournal.com]

I hope it works - Sammy was so scared of the umbrella last year he wouldn't stay under it & thus had to go back inside!

[go-dawgs.livejournal.com]

I think it will be fine. And it's open, so even if someone else's towel kind of ends up under it a little bit, it's not that big of a deal. That's a great idea, btw!

[vernacular-life.livejournal.com]

well, the good thing is that normally, the closest people are about 25 feet away, so it shouldn't crowd anyone!

[tray85.livejournal.com]

At least it will give you some elbow room so that other people aren't right next to you!