Sherando Camp

We had done Car Camping at Sherando Lake on 26th and 27th July 2014 . It is located in Virginia State.
Camp Location
Name: Sherando Lake
Distance: 100 miles from Richmond(approx), 55 miles from Lynchburg
Camping days: 26th and 27th.
Camp Team: 16 adults, 2 kids
Camp Equipment: 1-8 person tent, 2-6 person tent, 1-4 person tent, 1-2 person tent, electric cooker, camp stove, 2-electric Griddle, music system, lamps, 2-lanterns, 2-tarps, extension box, chairs, torches, firewood, fuel, food, water, bedding.
Camping Experience: we reached campsite around 2:30 pm . Few of our team had done hiking in the morning and were first to reach the campsite by 2:15 pm. Total of 6 cars reached the camping site with all the necessary items. The campground at Sherando lake drive has 3 loops each loop having multiple camp sites. we have booked two campsites, one electric and other non electric(little far away from the electric). The electric campsite is larger in area and has a pole with sockets for electricity at one corner of the campsite. The electric campsite is a large rectangular area covered by thick trees providing cool shade all through the day and it is properly cleaned and leveled by the camp office. There was a river stream at the backside of the campsite. There was place for barbecue at one corner. For every 3-4 campsites, water tap is provided and big trash disposal and restrooms are provided for each loop. Only two cars were allowed per each campsite. We emptied the cars and parked the extra two cars in overflow parking. Few of us started with tent pitching. Few others started preparation for lunch(plugged in the electric appliances for heating) and rest arranging other camp items. we were done tent pitching around 3:30 pm at electric campsite(1-8 person and 1-6 person). Setup the music system. we went to get the firewood from nearby store which is 8 miles from campsite. Had lunch.

Few of us went to other campsite to pitch the tent. The non electric campsite is also rectangular and leveled properly. there was food storage box at one corner of the site and had a water tap near by. It is not much covered by trees. we pitched two tents(1-6 person and 1-4 person). Tent pitching was fun and interesting. Returned to main campsite(electric) around 4:00 pm. Had nice Lassi. Collected the firewood and started campfire for barbecue. Then few of us went to nearby beach which is half a mile from campsite around 5:00 pm. Others started preparations for evening snacks and dinner. It is an artificial beach surrounded by huge trees. Water and beach sand are very clean. Water was cold but not deep though and ideal conditions for swimming. We played volleyball for sometime. There is a lawn near the beach to relax and enjoy the nature. We returned to campsite around 7:30 pm. By the time we reached, Curries(1- veg and 1-non-veg) for dinner are ready. We had hot fish, veggies for snacks. Used the camp stove for preparing tea. Had biscuits, chips along with it. We placed the tarp in the center of the campsite for everyone to sit on it and few sat on chairs. Few of us had hard drinks while others had soft drinks. Cooked rice in rice cooker. Warmed milk for kids on camp stove on timely basis. Few continued to have drinks near the river stream and others were sitting on the tarp, deeply engrossed in their own gossiping. Rice was ready and started having dinner. It started raining while we were almost about to complete our dinner. Rain was not predicted until 27th afternoon but it was surprise for us from sky. We covered all the food and other camp items with the tarp. Few went inside the tents, few completing the dinner and others were washing the utensils.Rain stopped after half an hour. Everyone sat on the tarp.              

 It was completely dark outside except for the lights at campsite. Played game(Mafia, Angels and Villagers). It was very interesting and everyone were so much involved in the game that we didn't realized the time. It was 1:00 am. Packed the remaining things in the car as no item should be left unattended on the campsite. Few of us left to the other campsite for sleeping. Arranged all the bedding. we setup the 2-person tent as well in the night. It was a good experience figuring way to pitch it up in the night with just lantern light. Then we went inside the tents around 2:30 am and after few minutes it started raining heavily with thunderstorm. Around 3 pm we were done with gossiping and slept. It was raining whole night and around 6:00 am in the morning few of us got up to see that the entire site was wet, it was still drizzling and water droplets dripping inside the tent. We went to the main campsite to observe the situation there. The lamps were off not sure when, we removed the electric plug. Tarp and chairs were fully drenched in water. we returned to other campsite and started wrapping up the tents. we woke up others, got freshen up and packed the tents, cleared the area and returned to main campsite around 8:30 am. Then started winding up at the main campsite. Packing the tent took more time than pitching it and the tents are went and covered with dirt. We actually planned for morning tea and breakfast but due to unfavourable climate conditions we dropped the plan. Around 11:00 am we were done packing and ready to leave. Left the campground and reached home around 1:30 pm. All is well.
Photo Courtesy : Amit and Gaurav.