We are NOT freaks!

[Hangin' Burrito]

Well, I'm not sure if this is the right place for this thread so mods, please move it if it isn't. Thanks.

In the last couple of months, it seems that whoever came to the house for dinner or whatever,( my wife loves to entertain). The subject of me sleeping in my hammock out on the deck, night after night has always come up. So I'll take them out and show them my set-up, for the most part they seem intrigued & kind of this bewildered look comes across their face, but.....

The one question always seems to come up....."Why do you sleep out here in a hammock?"

I'll tell them all the usual points. It's way more comfortable, no creepy crawlies on you, it's way drier than a tent, etc..so I got to thinking I'll just ask my friends at HF the same question. I'll admit, I do kinda get a kick out of it when they shake their heads in disbelief.

Those of you who sleep in your hammock on a regular basis, do you get those same kind of situations? Tell us your stories, and remember....we're NOT freaks, we're enlightened!

[oldgringo]

I'm getting a little tired of it, actually.

I may have my freek on, but so what?

[gargoyle]

I've got mine hanging in the bedroom, and usually talk of hammock's comes up.
What really blows people's hair back is the dynaglide whoopie and dynaglide soft shackle. As most of you know, I'm a heavy guy (340) and when these new people see me hanging on this thin line their jaw drops.

If they think I'm weird, so what, I know what's comfortable for ME. And thats the important thing. Being uncomfortable and conforming to societies standards of night-time resting places (i.e., a mattress) lent to my back problems, IMO.
Now that I sleep in the hammock, my stiffness has gone away. My pain has gone away. My meds have gone away.

Let 'em laugh, or call you a freak.
It almost seems like its the struggle with closed minds. Comfort is comfort.

Media and manufacturers of beds, mattresses, and bedding products (sheets pillows, blankets) have a big foothold on the minds of consumers. It has been a long standing sign of success to own the coolest bed/mattress/pillow.
I find it humorous to observe people with the "new mattress" they just spent $2,000 on, and then walk around complaining about their back hurting. Soon, they are buying another new mattress. and another......

Sit around the watercooler some days and just listen to folks boast of the newest, greatest mattress. I think it's more about them bragging up their expenditure, than it is about comfort..but that's getting off track...like I don't do that enough.

Let 'em laugh, or call you a freak.
Comfort is comfort.

[Hangin' Burrito]

I find it humorous to observe people with the "new mattress" they just spent $2,000 on, and then walk around complaining about their back hurting. Soon, they are buying another new mattress. and another......

That's funny you'd mention that. I little while back my in-laws bought a high priced mattress and just about every week I listen to them say how they didn't sleep good the other night.
My reply is always the same....I tell them, "I went to bed at 9:30 and didn't wake up 'til 3,(nature call) and then went back to sleep 'til 5:30. I feel great!"
My bed costs me less than $100.00

[gargoyle]

That's funny you'd mention that. I little while back my in-laws bought a high priced mattress and just about every week I listen to them say how they didn't sleep good the other night.
My reply is always the same....I tell them, "I went to bed at 9:30 and didn't wake up 'til 3,(nature call) and then went back to sleep 'til 5:30. I feel great!"
My bed costs me less than $100.00

exactly. Like lots of things, its better to be a good example, than to preach.

[MacEntyre]

Sit around the watercooler some days and just listen to folks boast of the newest, greatest mattress.

They are gear junkies, just like you... they just have the wrong gear!

[Sweeper]

Last night, lying awake at 1am in my oh-so-expensive, name-brand, space-age bed, I thought about how I can sleep so well on my back in my BB when I am on the trail. My biggest problem is that the Trail Diva absolutely pitches a fit if I am not physically in bed with her. Any one else have that problem?

Oh, and she thinks I am a nut for want to hang every night. But she hasn't had 2 dics fused in her neck and 2 others blown out in her L2-L3 area, either. Those with good backs just can never understand our pain, and how much a hammock can relieve it....

Sweeper

[DuctTape]

I AM a freak, I accept it. Just because I am markedly unusual doesn't mean it is wrong. As you said we are enlightened.

[TinaLouise]

my back and hips have been screaming at me lately and now that I think about it, I've done less camping this past month (probably because it's been soooo hot). I think I'll go put up my hammock in the backyard, I need a good night's rest.

Oh, and my husband is getting more and more used to me sleeping out back. He still thinks I'm nuts though.

[Mountain Gout]

Am I a freak?? Well....mama always said I was SPECIAL...
It is funny that some folks won't bat an eye spending two grand on a bed,
Then look at ya like you have grown a third eye cause you spend a hundred seventy five on a hammock.. Funny thing is, everyone that has laid in my black bird always makes the same sound... AAAaaaahhhhhhh... Nuf said..