Greetings from Western Michigan

[Ldog]

L.Dog here. Came here from WhiteBlaze when I got serious about hanging.
Been section hiking the AT for the last two years. Started out as thru hike attempts, but that's another story ... L.Dog is my trail name. It's short for Laughing Dog which is both the name of my blog, and of the canoe company which has not progressed past the dream state. I am a 50-something retired Navy combat photographer.

Got serious about pack weight before I stepped foot on the AT, and kept pruning it along the way. Was using a Lightheart Gear Solo tent, which I love, but I soon realized that there is not one, single, flat tent site on the AT. I woke up several times bunched up in one corner or the other. Meanwhile, there were those folks hanging anywhere they damned-well pleased ...

Last year, I was hiking north from Rock Gap, and took a detour to Trail Days. I knew that if there was a hammock dealer there, I was gonna be hard-pressed not to buy a rig... Of course, Hennessy was there, and offering big discounts. I bought one of their Ultralight Backpacker Asym Zip hammocks. Dutchware was there, and they added custom whoopie slings and Tarp Flyz to separate the tarp from the hammock’s ridge line. Jacks R Better occupied the booth next door, and I bought one of their Mt Washington 3s.

I downloaded a kindle version of The Ultimate Hang to my phone, and mailed my tent home.

There were strong thunderstorms during my first few nights back on the trail, which provided me with valuable learning opportunities … I stayed pretty dry, but yearned for more coverage. I contacted HammockGear, and they sent one of their gently used cuben tarps to the next post office up the trail. Superb customer service. Excellent tarp.

I’ve never slept so good.

I'm heading back out to the AT this spring, heading north thru the Shenandoahs, and on up as far as Vermont if I am so inspired. Hope to see some of you out there.

The pic is of one of the first mornings, after a night of thunderstorms, when the sun came out.



Pics at www.tumblr.com/blog/billyfatjohn
Blog at www.laughingdog.com

Pleased ta meet ya,
L.Dog

[Duenge]

Hi Dog,

Tom (Duenge) from Bay City here. Just gathering my gear this winter, but vow to never sleep on the ground again! I am a retired firefighter, and I thank you for your service to our country.....Enjoy retirement.

[gargoyle]

Welcome Laughing Dog.
Hope the canoe business becomes reality. Nice blog.

[BackpackerGuy]

Welcome to the Forum, Ldog.

I wonder if we are neighbors; I'm from Hudsonville.

[doc17th]

Welcome from Philly.

[Xtrm tj]

Welcome to the forum....from OHIO.....you know that great state to the south.


Go BUCKS!!!!!!

[Ldog]

Tom (Duenge) from Bay City here. Just gathering my gear this winter, but vow to never sleep on the ground again! I am a retired firefighter, and I thank you for your service to our country.....Enjoy retirement.

Thanks Tom. I have not quite taken that vow. On the AT, I've been known to retreat to a shelter when the weather got bad, and I've been carrying a small, light Thermorest sleeping pad for that eventuality. I might get over that ...

Thank you for your service.
L.Dog

[Ldog]

Welcome Laughing Dog.
Hope the canoe business becomes reality. Nice blog.

Thanks. Gonna have to at least build one!

L.Dog

[Ldog]

Welcome to the Forum, Ldog.

I wonder if we are neighbors; I'm from Hudsonville.

Yup, I'm in Holland.

L.Dog

[Ldog]

Welcome from Philly.

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum....from OHIO.....you know that great state to the south.

From my perspective, the great state to the south is Indiana

Go BUCKS!!!!!!

M Go Blue!
L.Dog