drsteve wrote:
The VA system seems guaranteed to cause problems, with people tagging sites for people who have yet to arrive, folks with big rigs finding that the remaining sites won't accommodate their vehicles, and groups unable to get adjacent sites.
The way to avoid all this is to make all reservations site specific. MI does that, and it works very well. When I reserve a site, I know where I will be, whether it's sun or shade, and that the site is large enough. I am able to avoid sites that are likely to be used by other campers as shortcuts to the bathroom or the beach, that are next to the playground, etc.
If they are going to take a reservation, might as well attach a site number to it.
Prior to this trip the VA system has always worked for me.
The other states I frequent: MD,DE,PA,SC all have site specific reservations.
I have always been able to find a site that worked using the VA system. Even in this scenario the system worked well enough that I was able to find a site that I fit into.Guaranteeing a site is the most critical function of the system. To that extent the VA system worked.
Granted I had to squeeze in and work at it but I made it.
Had the group campers arrived on Friday I would have just put the issue behind me. but as of Saturday morning 2 sites I desired were still available. At that point I felt gamed/abused. The system had been gamed. The system had failed me.
I felt I had discovered either a flaw or a loophole in the system.
At this point I don't plan to let this rest until I hear the Va parks official position on this matter.
