New, yet not so new, hanger in Virginia

**CoreyR** · 03-10-2014, 12:33

Greetings one and all, I am in Virginia and just getting, well, back to hammocks, sort of. I am really getting "back to" a lot of things.
I am 44 and a veteran with a banged up leg which has had more than one reconstructive surgeries on it. When I was a young paratrooper, stationed in Alaska, Germany, Ga. or NC or a National Guardsman in Virginia, I used to do a LOT of hiking and canoeing.
I often used one of the old "net hammocks" which were sold in AFFES PXs and were VERY popular with Infantrymen in the '80's and 90's. The rolled up to the siize of a softball, were super easy to use and you could use them for more than just sleeping. Many a..ahem..canned beverage has been kept cool netted by my hammock and thrown into the Eagle river in Alaska! I have also used it as a fishing net, a trap, a bear cache, an improvised rucksack, ...the list goes on and on.
Then I tore my leg up, while in the Nasty Guard...err, I mean, National Guard, and Hiking, backpacking, everything became a dim memory.
Now, over a decade later, the VA says that the surgeons are finished and it is as healed as it will ever get. Still hurts like sin but "the mountains are calling me and I must go" no matter how much it hurts.
I started a couple of years ago with some truck camping and day hiking. I got a canoe and tried to remember old skills there. A friend loaned me a Sit on Top Kayak, to try out and I kind of like that. I am, I afraid a tad out of shape now and the thing became a "semisubersible" with me on it. So I did some shopping and found a Perception Sport Striker 11.5. Shorter and easier to transport than my 15.5 foot canoe with a 500 pound payload it is built as an "angler" boat. I had a safety mast installed made a few other modifications.
Now that my daughter is grown, and in the Coast Guard, and my dog has passed away, I have nothing holding me back from some canoe/kayak camping trips, even if I cannot hike that well anymore. After some research, I ordered a Ticket to the Moon single, with bug bag and tarp. It is a little fancier than my old OD green, AFFES net hammock. I am looking forward to trying it out in May. It packs nicely into the forward hold of my new kayak, taking up almost no room. Sweet!

**grannypat** · 03-10-2014, 12:38

Welcome to the forums from SC.

**Dev** · 03-10-2014, 12:44

Welcome from a fellow Virginian!

**gunner76** · 03-10-2014, 18:18

welcome to the madness.

come on down in April to the Merchants Mill Pond Hang and we will check out your rig and make sure its good to go.

**sojourn** · 03-10-2014, 18:33

Welcome from SW Virgina.

**Tinmar** · 03-10-2014, 18:39

Welcome from NOVA. There is a VA paddle and hang in the planning. Don't have the thread but sure you can find it.

**CoreyR** · 03-12-2014, 08:34

Originally Posted by gunner76

welcome to the madness.

come on down in April to the Merchants Mill Pond Hang and we will check out your rig and make sure its good to go.

Well now Gunner, that Merchants Mill Pond is a place I have been pondering taking my Kayak or Canoe. Jsut one thing though, how is the snake situation down there? I cannot abide them critters.
The one BIG thing I loved about Alaska, NO SNAKES! LOL

**CoreyR** · 03-12-2014, 08:35

Thank you Dev, Maybe I shall bump into one day, around this Old Dominion.

**CoreyR** · 03-12-2014, 08:39

Originally Posted by sojourn

Welcome from SW Virgina.

Thank you Sojourn. You are in a part of the state that I dearly love but seldom get to. The drive is just too long. Be glad though, it keeps all them yankees away. We are just flooded with 'em around here. (I duck as the New Yorker at the next desk flings a box of tissues at me) LOL