Uncle Mike's post hang ramblings
The Texas Fall Hammock Hang 2012 ver. 4.0 is now in the books. For those keeping score, the best count I can figure is 65 hammock campers, less than the 90 plus who planned on coming but over 20% more than last year came together in the trees of Fairfield Lake State Park in Texas. In addition we had several guests in and out during the day on Saturday including some of the Park staff who bent over backwards to make sure we had a good event.
Although I didn’t see everything, I know I saw Blackbirds, Ridge Runners, Hennessey’s, ENOs, Grand Trunks, Kammoks, Clarks, Dangerbirds, Switchbacks, BIAS, DIYs, Tablecloths, and generic hammocks. There were as many underquilts and tarp varieties as hammocks too. Some folks even used dead animals for insulation.
With folks from Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, the variety of people was pretty interesting too. (Heck, just getting North Texas, Hill Country, Houston area, and East Texas folks around a campfire was a sight to see.) This was a family reunion for some and first time to the party for others. From first timers in a tree to AT Thru Hikers, car campers to backpackers, and musicians to paddlers there was something for everyone. When it came to food at the Saturday night pot luck dinner, I had sideboards on my plate and still only sampled about half of what was there. It was a feast. In addition to a collection of canine campers there was plenty of raccoon activity and the random armadillo along for entertainment purposes.
There were impromptu show and tell conversations; alcohol stove making instruction; reflectix cozy construction; a class on making a homemade long bow; a nature hike pointing out edibles and some sampling of prepared food provided by nature; a group buy of amsteel line; splicing instructions including whoopie sling construction; tarp and hammock hanging tips for those who asked; gear traded, bought, sold and given away; and a lot of great fellowship by the campfire.
Swedish candles and fire in the washer tub lit up the main gathering area for a free prize drawing with dozens of winners. Special thanks go to Underground Quilts, Stoveman Dan, WhoopieSlings.com, BIAS, and the generous gifts of our own hangers. Among the prizes were several hammocks, a great tarp and pillow, tons of stoves, suspension rigging, some cool home made camp gear, pots, gadgets and assorted other items, and fire starting tinder boxes. There was literally something for everyone. The coolest part of this is that not a single item was solicited. Everything was donated purely as a gift to help support and encourage the hammock camping community present.
The weather was unusually warm for November but no one seemed to complain. The only complaint I know of was that there was not enough time to get to know everyone there.
The most common things I heard by Sunday’s departure time was, “I can’t wait until next year” or “when is the next one?” Two answers: Next year the second weekend in November is already circled on the calendar for 2013 and as to the next one, well watch the planning forum. There are hangs going on all year long in this area with one in the works for January in North Texas at Caddo Lake.
There are too many people who contributed to making this a great weekend that I am not going to name any to avoid the risk of missing one due to my stupidity. Just know that if you taught, cooked, helped, brought wood, burned up chainsaws cutting candles, jumpstarted cars, fixed coffee, told stories, spliced, taped, cut, hiked, split wood, climbed trees, didn’t complain about my snoring, caught my movie quotes or laughed at any of my smart aleck comments, you are greatly appreciated.
I look forward to seeing more pictures, hearing more perspectives, and mostly, getting back out in the woods soon.