Tarpon Springs, FL

**Damifino** · 07-01-2010, 21:38

Hello everyone. Thanks for such a great site! Started walking to lose weight around the beginning of the year and fell in love the exercise and activity. I keep planning new longer hikes. I'd like to section hike the Florida Trail. I can do it on weekends and in 2-4 day slices. Sleeping on the ground in a tent was tolerable and (mostly) fun as a kid, but now... not so much.

I found this place accidentally while researching which hammock I should get. I had a pretty good idea of what I thought I need (want) when I got here but found more useful info and advice then the rest of entire net. (Yep - been through the entire internet, there is a Stucky's on the trailhead at the other end). Of couse - I've reconsidered my hammock-of-choice. Going to order a Warbonnet BB when Brandon returns.

I have a list of questions for the experts here (set-up for dealing with hot night time temps, ancillary gear and technique) but I've learned so much from the existing threads that I'm sure much of the information I'm looking for has already been posted.

I'll keep reading the old threads for now. Thanks again.
Tom

**bigbamaguy** · 07-01-2010, 22:33

Damifino:
Welcome to HF and don't let the info overload the brain. Good luck with the search and don't be afraid to ask any questions............someone will answer it for you.

**Perkolady** · 07-02-2010, 11:10

Welcome to HF, Tom!

**sir White Wolf** · 07-02-2010, 11:30

Welcome
Hang in Have fun

**Poppabear** · 07-02-2010, 12:38

Damifino, Welcome to the forums, take your time looking around you will find all kinds of good information here. I shed over 150 pounds by getting off my duff and walking. My mantra is "I walk to live and live to walk". I've kept it off for 2 plus years now. I feel great hike / backpack and do all sorts of outdoor activities. I commute to work on a bicycle and also get in some bike tours as time and work permit. Keep the walking up you and your body will never regret it!

**richtorfla** · 07-02-2010, 12:42

Welcome to the forum neighbor! Good luck on your research. So much on here to learn about. You will settle in on whats good for you or maybe not and be like Cannibal and experiment with everything!

**Damifino** · 07-02-2010, 16:42

Thanks everyone. I haven't done nearly as well as you Poppabear. 150# is a LOT of weight! Congratulations. I've managed to shed 43# as the scale read this AM. I'm doing well and only have a little over 20 to go.

richtorf, I am an engineer so I kinda dig experimenting with different gadgets. So I expect I will be more like Cannabal in that I might not really need a crank dynamo powered blender on this trip but I should get one anyway just in case.