Hey Buffalo Skipper, and welcome. There is a lot of info to digest on all sorts of things that are very different from other types of camping, it can get very overwhelming. One advantage that you have in your area--at least general area, is a number of members. Take a look though the Trip planning section, see if anything is coming up near you in the near future or start a thread there asking for hangers in your area to get together to check out some hammocks. In my experience with REI and a lot of other shops is no one there knows anything about hammocks, how to set them up or often even has a place to set them up. You may also want to call before driving, the local REI here has stopped stocking Hennessys in store. Good luck keep reading it will come together.