RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

I've gone and dug out my photos from covering Joe Nall last year. Here is a good sequence of pictures that will give you a pretty good idea of the main flight line, vendor area, float plane pond, and camper parking. The pictures were taken from the observation tower on site, which is pretty much on the edge of the 3D flight light, and the sequence goes from the float plane pond on the left to the main flight line on the right.

This should help out to give you a little better idea of the layout.

Ken

superbee-rc

superbee-rc

Here a a few picruresmore from 2009.

mwunsworth

My Feedback: (13)

Guys, thanks a lot for the pictures. The "hill" is very evident now after seeing the pics. Boy, there are a lot of campers !!!

How does RV parking/camping work, is it first come basis or will they direct you to a particular spot ??

superbee-rc

Camping is first come first serve. Their are somevolenteers that will help you park to try to get the most camper in close that we can but, the spot you choose is up to you.

mwunsworth

My Feedback: (13)

Thanks a lot. Looking forward to it !!!

SimpleM

A few questions for you veterans out there about what I think I understand, based on all I have been able to gather from the forum and the website.

My two sons (11 and 15) and I am planning to come for Thur/Fri/Sat leaving Sat afternoon. We intend to spectate only.

According to the website that will mean:

Camping 2 days = $30
Spectator passes Th-Fr-Sat = $30 for me, $15 for the older son, and younger son free.
That leaves me a total admission/camp fee of $75.

As for the camping, I am planning to camp in my F350 camper shell.
Am I to understand if I can find an open spot big enough for my 350 I can just park it, or are there marked sites?

Arriving so late to the event I am wondering about the availability a campsite close enough to "facilities" as 11 year olds do not tend plan for emergencies.
Are there porta-johns scattered around the property or just centrally located?

Also, is there food available for purchase on property in the evenings other than the BBQ on Fri night, (ie: are there vendors like at a fair, or does the Nall have a monopoly on all onsite food?.)

Alcohol? I can not find any policy on the website. Reading that it can get "wild" at the 3d area made me wonder about this issue.

Thanks.

Tango Juliet

You're right. No marked camp sites. If you can find a space big enough... park and camp. I don't recall all port-a-john locations last year, but they did seem pretty centrally located near the Main Flight Line. Alcohol is allowed on the premisces, but like anywhere, under 21 is illegal, and keep it under control as an Adult.

superbee-rc

I am glad to here you will be at the Nall. Camping is first come first serve and no assigned spaces. There are a few porta-johns scattered around but not many. The bath houses are located nere the middle. I think your caculations are correct about the fee's. Just Freinds Cattering will be serving Breakfeast and Lunch each day but the only evening meal planed by the Nall is the Friday night BBQ "sorry, no monopoly on evening meals". There is Brown's Market 1 mile down the road to get some steaks and hambergers to grill. or woodruff is 5 miles up th road where their are a few resturants and two large Grocery stores. Joins us in the hanger in the evening for our Joe Nall Big Build. It is a 20 foot Valkyrie built by the People at the Nall.Thiswill beour third year on the project.

Mark

SimpleM

Ok, so for supper we will have to fend for ourselves via the market down the road, or ride into town? I can just bring food in a cooler, but if I have to leave the place to go get more ice then I might as well just go eat out. I was hoping for a smoked sausage trailer or pizza wagon on site. Oh well.

Tango Juliet

You could do like I did and buy an inexpensive two burner camp stove and cook your own supper . With two boys, you may find yourself doing a fair amount of camping, so the stove would pay for itself in the long run. Ice is also available from vendors on-site, so you don't really have to leave.

superbee-rc

Ice is sold on site. No need to leave.

Warbird Joe

I would love to go but after that Horrible Venomous Groundhog attack in Delaware last year I am not sure I want to risk it.

Tango Juliet

Is anyone else thinking about or planning to go to Joe Nall this year? This thread has gotten pretty quiet and "The Nall" is less than a month away [X(]!

Flash1940

Hi Folks....
I'm still rather confused about the camping situation. They say that if you get there early....they force you to park on some ???? hill until noon. Then what??? Is there a designated camping area??? I will be pitching a family sized tent. How far away from the flight line will I be??? I haven't seen any maps that show very much in the way of camping area. Another thing.....you can't make any reservations.....I suppose you just show-up and deal with it as it is.
Anybody have anything to add ??? Sure would be helpful.

Flash

Tango Juliet

Flash - Have you gone to the website? www.joenall.com There is all sorts of information available there. If you scroll about halfway down the home page, there are links to several photography websites including Vista Aerials. The Vista Aerials 360 Panoramic is unique in that it shows the grounds from the air in several different locations and you can get an idea of where everyone sets up camp. The "Hill" is just after the entrance. In the photos you'll notice how the big RV's form concentric circles around the road coming in, that's the "Hill". After noon on Saturday, May 8th, you'll be allowed onto the property to set up where ever you decide. It is first come, first serve, but it's not that bad.

Flash1940

Thanks TJ....
Yes......I have been up on the site....but it's still somewhat confusing. I will be coming in there from a long distance and it would be bad and sad for me not to have a place to camp. I am somewhat concerned. This will be my first time at Joe Nall. I will NOT be flying this time. I have my AMA and all that.....will be a spectator. I figure being a spectator will keep me quite busy. I would also like to even glue something in that big 20' "V". I'm really looking forward to the event.

Flash

Tango Juliet

Don't fret Flash . Last year was my first time also, and like you, I was only a spectator, but was there doing photography. Last year's event officially started on Tuesday if I remember correctly, but I didn't arrive until mid-day Wednesday. I pitched a tent very near the Vendor row. I never used my truck while there, I had my mountain bike with me, but could easily walk to the Main Flightline, shower house, and the hangar from my location. This year I've rented a golf cart just to make it easier to lug my photo gear all over the place. They do have a couple of buses that run a regular schedule, so the golf cart wouldn't be necessary. I'm also planning to bring my 80" WS Electric Foamie Camera Plane for shooting Aerials. When are you planning to arrive? The earlier you get there, the more likely you are to have a location of your choice rather than what's left (but even then, it's nothing to get all worked up over). Instead of worrying about getting a campsite, worry about making sure you pack everything you'll need. You'll hate to leave, even if it's for necessities .

superbee-rc

I am glad to here someone else is looking forward to working on the Valkyrie. I am heading it up and we will be working ton the rudder enelevator thei year. the elevator is 8 feet wide, it would be imaa legal by itself.

Mark

Flash1940

Thanks TJ....
I will make a strong effort to look you up when I get there. If you can be found any where near that giant "V" I will no doubt find you. For any others that read this....I will CQ the area. My call is WB4CDY. I will be on 146.52....simplex.
OK.....I'll take your advice and quit worrying about it. We (my wife & I) pack everything including the kitchen sink. I'll bring 36 harmonicas in case anybody wants to play some Blues music......I thought it wouldn't hurt to bring my mCX heli.....I could fly it inside the tent and it wouldn't bother anybody. That way I could scratch my flying itch !!!
My plan is to get within 30 - 50 miles of the site on Friday and get a motel room and drive in Saturday morning all rested. We will be coming from the Lexington, Ky. area.
Does all this make a little sense...???
Looking forward to meeting you.....and BTW.....your photography up on the Nall site is fantastic.....

Flash

Tango Juliet

Thanks for the compliment Flash. I'll probably be pitching my tent in the newer area that they're clearing by the new bath house, which isn't too very far from where I was last year.

Over the years I've had guitars, drums, and even a Harmonica, but was never adept at playing any of them. My Dad and my sister are the musicians of the family. I'm more of a rock singer . I'm looking forward to hearing you play. Most evenings you can find an impromptu gathering of musicians.

Flash1940

Great......
See you there....

Flash

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Like last year, I'll skip the camping and stay in Greenville. If I wanted to sleep on dirt, I would have stayed single

Tango Juliet

I got a bigger tent and a Queen size air matress this year .

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I got a nice room w/ a KING size bed

Oh yea, and TV, A/C and breakfast!