Thanks for the feedback. I think for the first shows I record I will probably stick to the two mics.
I'm going to look for an FAQ of some sort for a pre-show setup. I've been told setting "Automatic clipping" is a huge help on the Zoom but imagine there will be more steps.
Also, rain has popped up on the schedule for the first time in all the years I've been there. I'm imagining I'll get a clamp at either a guitar center type store or a hardware store and get an umbrella on there. Anything better I should attempt with the time I have? I can't order anything new by mail.
1) though I've never used a zoom h4, I'd recommend against using automatic clipping or other automatic level setting aids -- you're better off setting levels rather conservatively (peak at, say -6db) to give headroom and boost levels if necessary in post. After getting levels set during initial song(s), also good to avoid tweaking levels up unless absolutely necessary. Auto level setting can cause volume pumping or compression . . . Remember too that the FOH engineer will likely be raising levels slightly throughout show, so being a bit conservative up front will minimize possibility of clipping late in show
2) umbrella -- I'd skip the clamp idea and instead find some duct tape -- unbrella's going to be pulling against clamp and, without pre-testing, I'd trust an "overengineered" duct tape solution better. Remove the handle from a small umbrella and duct tape the umbrella's shaft to the top of your stand positioning it so that a) the umbrella can sit folded up over your Mics when not needed and b) can be raised without affecting/touching your Mics when needed (after lowering your stand, of course) -- Also find a way to both secure your mic cables to the stand and leave a bit of slack in the mic cable between the mic and the stand -- otherwise the cable will transmit shocks back to the mic as noise.
3) wind -- especially here in Colorado, with rain comes wind -- umbrellas tend to serve as sails in the wind and even a stand without an umbrella can become pretty unstable in the wind. Lowering a stand can help, taping a stand to a stronger support (SBD cage, etc.) can help too. Finally, simply being around to hold the stand up when the wind comes can frequently be the only real way to keep it standing. Do you have windscreens for your c1000s? You'll definitely want to have a robust wind abatement system in place for outdoor taping
4) Plastic bags -- bring some big, heavy duty contractor bags with you (like are used for leaf/construction debris pickup) -- they're great for protecting gear from the rain and, if kept folded up/intact from the box before use are VERY effective at completely covering your MICS/stand/zoom/etc. during a deluge
5) thunder/lightning -- a 10' mic stand is a lightning rod -- pull it down to below head height if thunder comes near(ish) -- even with a plastic bag completely covering your rig and your rig at a whopping 4' height, you'll still pull a recording
Have fun!