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Just spent a pleasant night at the Birch Creek Somerville Lake State Park in Texas. Nice facilities, friendly rangers. Only request was that I use tree straps. A couple of tame deer wandered by my setup to make sure I was OK. A possum just kind of wandered by. The burn ban is still on.
How big is the park? How long was the hike?
Got to love all the burn bans in Texas.
As it's the closest state park to me, I like to get out there to hang on occasion too. Good folks running the place and you're right, hammock friendly.Quote:
Originally Posted by redhawktx
Last time I was there I saw the lake. Is it more of a puddle now?
I was in several State Parks over the weekend on a recon for a group campout I'm taking some college kids on later this month and found that burn ban issue truly is everywhere and means different things in different parks.Quote:
Originally Posted by jasonb986
At Inks Lake and Enchanted Rock, the only thing that can burn is a propane stove.
At Colorado Bend, the only thing allowed to burn is the bulb in your electric light. No campfires, candles, alchy stoves, charcoal, white gas or even propane stoves allowed. In addition, propane lanterns were also forbidden.
Some of this is seasonal, but this is historic. At Colorado Bend the ranger stated that in the last 12 months they had only recieved 5" of rain. Far short of their average annual rainfall of 30".
It's FINALLY cooling off in South Florida, so I slept out (starting at ab 1 a.m. after I woke up from the recliner!) on the deck.
Even tho I have the Vario extended to its max width and height, I was only an inch or two above the #($*&# knob (wish I had the side knobs).
That said, I was super comfy.
I couldn't be bothered to put up a tarp but I wasn't soaked with dew in the morning. Is it the time of the year? The hammock did not feel bone dry, but it was OK.
This way I can see the stars. I use an eye mask to keep out the light.
Now I have to start working on the Harbor Freight "wires" to make spreader bars for my Switchback Hiker (refer to the Tree to Tree Trail Gear subforum).
#CD - the park is about a mile wide by 4 or 5 miles long with 120 +/- campsites. Inside the park is 6 miles of hiking trails that are never far from campers. There is a 13 mile trail that extends from the Birch Creek unit to the Trails Creek unit. I did not traverse it so can't comment on it.
#UMJM - the lake is a good bit lower, but there are nice shower facilities to offset that :)