July 15: RockUSA 2017 Day 3

As with day 1 and day 2 of RockUSA, I was the first one up. I took this as another opportunity to walk around the campground.

RV and pop-up camper campsite with American flag and purple flag flying, awning extended over camping chairs and coolers Large blue inflatable pool filled with murky water in grassy camping area with RVs and tents in background Camping setup with tan canopy tent, inflatable palm tree decorations, and MARTHA + RUSS sign on grass Wide view of RV camping area showing dirt roads, parked trailers, and rows of portable toilets Dirt road through camping area lined with RVs, trailers, and portable toilets under clear sky Brown SUV and other vehicles parked on grass next to dirt road in camping area Open dirt field with scattered RVs, tents, and dumpsters visible in distance under blue sky Row of RVs and campers along dirt road with portable toilets and green dumpsters View down dirt camping road with American flag, RVs on both sides, and portable toilets Large pile of crushed beer cans and bottles on grass next to green cooler and white trash bag

When I came back, I realized we drank a lot of beer, judging by the empties.

Large pile of crushed beer cans and bottles on grass next to green cooler and white trash bag

I also saw the troll bridge right next to our campsite took a major beating.

Broken wooden pallet or ramp lying on cracked pavement with orange safety fencing Broken wooden structure on ground near grass with orange construction fencing

With the garbage piling up around the area, I see the birds took it as a perfect opportunity to enjoy a buffet.

Crowd watching aerial performer or parachutist in sky above RV camping area White parachute or aerial object floating in clear blue sky White parachute tumbling in sky with another smaller object below it Flock of seagulls flying over camping area with blue car and RVs below

We enjoyed putting Yellowbird Hot Sauce on everything, including Doritos.

Person wearing patriotic shirt preparing food at outdoor table with beer cans and sunglasses

As time went on, it started to cloud up and the birds got crazier.

Overcast sky with gray clouds over camping area with tents and blue car Dramatic cloudy sky with dark storm clouds over camping area with tent visible Seagulls flying over camping area with blue tent, RVs, and vehicles under partly cloudy sky Multiple seagulls in flight above grassy camping area with tents and RVs in background

After avoiding the birds, we made our way to the concert. I got some Mac & Cheese from one of the vendors.

Large crowd gathered at outdoor concert venue silhouetted against bright stage and buildings Concert stage with yellow lighting visible through haze as crowd watches from gravel field Cheese-covered fries in foil next to beer can in red koozie and mayonnaise container on concrete surface

The skies were sunny for a while, but soon started to cloud up. There was some heavy storms on the radar. The clouds did look cool for a while.

Outdoor concert crowd in silhouette with bright sun flare above stage and buildings Weather radar map on smartphone showing storm system approaching Oshkosh, Wisconsin at 6:37 PM Festival crowd seated in chairs at dusk with dark storm clouds gathering overhead Festival concourse with people walking under threatening sky with visible rainbow Row of white vendor tents at festival grounds with dramatic storm clouds building above Festival grounds at dusk with scattered attendees and ominous gray clouds overhead Concert crowd behind chain-link fence watching stage at dusk with tall cranes silhouetted against sunset Rock USA concert stage with crowd in lawn chairs and American flags as storm clouds gather at sunset Festival attendees seated on gravel watching stage at dusk under cloudy sky Concert crowd silhouetted against dramatic illuminated storm clouds at sunset Concert-goer making rock hand gesture silhouetted against cloudy evening sky Weather radar on smartphone showing severe storm bands moving across Wisconsin at 7:41 PM Rock USA Ford stage with crowd watching performance under dramatic sunset storm clouds Rock USA Ford-sponsored concert stage with performer and crowd visible at dusk under threatening clouds Abstract view of storm clouds with gray and peach-colored illumination Towering storm clouds illuminated with yellow and orange light against gray sky Festival crowd silhouetted against dramatic sunset with brilliant sun rays breaking through clouds Silhouetted festival field at sunset with illuminated light tower and scattered crowd Tall festival light tower and flags against sunset sky with vendor tents below Festival crowd with dramatic sunset rays radiating through clouds and green ATM flags visible Intense yellow and orange sunset breaking through dark storm clouds with silhouetted tree Vibrant yellow, orange and pink sunset clouds with silhouetted tree line Festival attendees walking across field with dramatic sunset light rays in background Festival grounds at dusk with pink and purple clouds above white vendor tents Festival field at dusk with illuminated tower and dramatic pink-tinted storm clouds Sunset clouds in shades of pink, orange and yellow Rock USA Ford stage silhouetted against brilliant orange sunset glow Illuminated festival tower against orange and pink sunset sky with heavy clouds Weather radar on smartphone showing severe thunderstorm over Oshkosh, Wisconsin at 8:40 PM Rock USA Ford stage with bright yellow stage lights illuminated in hazy conditions Festival crowd silhouetted watching storm clouds with lightning illumination in distance Dark storm clouds with lightning flash visible in grainy low-light photo

It was cool seeing the clouds, but it soon turned to rain and it rained hard! I spent a bunch of time under the beer tent waiting out the storm. I guess just like I had to do at Bluesfest.

Silhouetted festival attendees watching lightning strike in approaching storm clouds Person's silhouette against bright lightning flash illuminating dark storm clouds Dense crowd of people sheltering under tent in dark conditions during storm Weather radar on smartphone showing intense storm cell centered over Oshkosh, Wisconsin at 9:31 PM Festival attendees sheltering under tent on muddy ground after storm with string lights overhead People standing in muddy conditions under tent during nighttime storm Dense crowd sheltering under tent with muddy floor during storm at night Woman in white dress standing at picnic table under string lights in muddy tent area Festival crowd under string lights in tent with muddy ground after rain Flooded festival grounds at night with brightly illuminated tower reflecting in standing water

Most of the people went home, but the rain stopped for Slayer. There were puddles everywhere, but I found a bit of a dry spot and Slayer slayed it!

Rock USA stage lit up at night after storm with muddy flooded field in foreground Concert stage with purple and blue lighting and crowd silhouettes in darkness

The lineup for the day was:

10:45pm- Slayer

8:45pm- Stone Sour

6:45pm- Lamb of God

5:15pm- Anthrax

3:45pm- Suicide Silence

2:30pm- White Chapel

1:15pm- Code Orange

12:00pm- The Color Morale

For today's line, I made it in time for Anthrax. They put on a good show. I'm not too much of a Lamb of God fan, but it was cool listening to them. Stone Sour was good and it was surprised they let them play as long as they did with the rain. It absolutely poured during their set, but it made it super cool to listen to (from the beer tent). When everything cleared up. Slayer put on an amazing show. I was happy I was one of the few people left that braved the major puddles.

After partying for 3 days and how many other days on the road, I was exhausted. Those other guys went off and jumped between campsites and I sat around the fire with another guy from our group and just chilled out. I think I was to bed before midnight. 3 days of camping out, drinking, and rocking out after you've been on the road for how long definitely takes its toll on you. Damn, I'm getting old!

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