I was unable to see the limitations of this product. We were simply looking for a way to extend our "day at the beach" a few hours by offering shelter from breezy days and sun. Welcome to Oregon - Nehalem Bay is beyond breezy. They have Jr. Ranger classes just to teach the kids WHY it is SO windy on the Oregon Coast and especially in Nehalem. We were on the beach - not the calm bay.
The day started at 9 on the sand. My husband unfurled the "Alcove Shelter" and we basically snapped it together. We secured it into the sand, angled it to prepare for the wind later in the day. At this point there was a gentle breeze picking up. We built up the sides and even dragged some logs to help break the wind at the proper angle. Really, we know this stuff. What we didn't do is dig deep enough.
By 11:30, the wind was picking up and the side walls went up. We thought this accessory would be helpful. We tucked the sides into the sand and built up the outside to weigh it down.
Lunch, then nap for all four of us. We passed out in and near the shelter protected from the increasing wind. It was picturesque.
Around 4:00 we were abruptly awakened by the sound of charging sand from the bottom of the walls swirling in and all over us. ALERT, ALERT - SECURITY BREACH! With one leap to our feet we struggled to patch the holes as small sandstorms were pouring in and covering the children. One was giggling as he dove under a jacket and created a cocoon. The other was whining, crying and spinning in the sand. I put the chairs around her at proper angles. It helped a bit, but then they blew as we broke down the ALCOVE and shoved it in the bag as we were laughing and chasing everything we brought to the beach. Those racing back to the path were laughing at the spectacle of our family trying to gather, shove and hide.
The wind was at least 30 MPH according to the Rangers. Scenes from, "Lawrence of Arabia" were flashing through my mind. I recalled how filming was delayed due to sand storms.
No where in the descriptions for this alcove on the REI site does it make reference to limitations based on wind speed. I think we can add the line item: 25MPH wind speed limit unless you sink it half way into the sand.
We trudged back up the dunes to the safety of our campsite. Whew! I still have windburn four days later.
And, no, I don't have photos of this episode. I'm banned from taking cameras on the beach after 9 a.m. due the the fact we've ruined three of them capturing "moments" with the family. Lenses shouldn't crunch when they retract.
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