This past weekend I was happy again to host the Idaho Spring Meat and Greet hang for the second year in a row. This years hang was a great event with some old friends and new.
The Weekend started on Thursday for a few of us arriving at the camp site and getting gear set up, hammocks hung and the site squared away. We set up some gear around camp to relax...a few hammock chairs, the REI Bridge Couch hammock. Arczeneb Set up his TATO stand to play with some mods and adjust the set up.
We had a small fire and spent the evening chatting as the kids played cards by fire light.
Overnight we had some rain and lightning roll through but Friday morning was clear and warm. Mid day KSC rolled in and we set about getting his gear set up both in the kitchen area as well as his hammock area ready for the evening.
Musejr. and KSC tested out the REI Bridge Couch.
Around 3 though the rain and lightning rolled back in. A few strikes were much closer than comfort and those that were relaxing and taking naps were woke to the thunder that echoed off the hills all around camp.
Arczeneb Relaxing in his hammock during the rain.
Around this time my good friend Jaime arrived. In planning for the hang we had decided we would like to have a gear raffle with the proceeds going to a military charity. Jaime just retired from 12 years of service in the Marines with the most recent years serving in the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. I asked him to suggest a charity that is working to help veterans and he immediately suggested the Raider Project. I asked and he was able to come up to the hang for the evening to speak about the work the Raider Project does. I had hoped he would be able to give us a 5-10 minute run down of the work they do but he spoke for over 30 minutes detailing how the project works to support Marine Special forces vets to return to civilian life, support them with suicide prevention help, meet short term financial needs and help with job placement.
Following his talk the gear raffle sold tickets to everyone in attendance at the hang. I am honored to say that the group of 13 people, 7 house holds donated a total of $480. I made the donation today and rounded the total off to $500 on behalf of the Idaho Meat and Greet Hammock Hang.
The raffle was a lot of fun to host and we had some great support from several business that this community is familiar with.
Diaz Tools donated several items including one of his $200 Salamander knifes. Big Thank You to Jose (aka: Buenos)
Musejr's son Zac won the knife as well as a Sawyer Mini filter
As well Sawyer donated some permethrin.
Bison Desighns donated several paracord DIY kits...2 to make a bracelet and 2 to make lanyards.
Arrowhead was or corse happy to donate several items to the group from a Top quilt to fire steels, patches and stickers along with some other small items.
The group stayed up past midnight around the fire talking and getting to know everyone. Saturday morning the sun was up but a mist hung over the camp from the rain the previous day.
But the sun quickly dried the day out and we set about working on breakfast as the camp woke up.
After breakfast talk of a day hike along the river with some fishing drew some of the gang out.
We covered about 4 miles round trip and a few fish were caught. Then we headed back to camp to relax and enjoy the evening fire. All of the wood was split...even though we were not going to get through the pile that evening. Someone has probably already enjoyed the gift left at the site of wood ready to burn.
It was a wonderful weekend and even with some rain it turned into a great event.
Thanks to each of you that attended for donating to a great cause, sharing your time and food with all and making the group in group hang be a lot of fun.
Hope to see you all next year!
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- Anyways - 6/9/13 
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