I've been a complete slug this summer when it comes to doing anything outside. Haven't been fishing, haven't been camping, haven't spent much time in my hammock and haven't done much geocaching. I haven't even done any yardwork beyond cutting the grass in a month or two and it shows. Its just been too freakin' hot!! 90+ degree weather and I just don't get along and when we do have to meet I'd prefer it to involve saltwater, sand, a beach chair and an umbrella.
So what have I been doing to pass the time you ask. I've been making stuff...inside...in the air conditioning...yeah, I know, I'm a wuss. Lately I've been making tarps. The hammock camping bug has gone through our house like a bad 24-hour virus. It started with me and then Jenna came down with it. Ashley's boyfriend and his brother contracted it next and they gave it to their dad. Most recently it was Ashley's turn. Connie Lou is the only one in the house that hasn't been bitten.
Most everybody has managed to make do with closed-cell foam pads and sleeping bags for insulation so far but tarps have been more of a challenge. Everybody's budget is tight so we've held off on getting lightweight silnylon tarps in favor of me making somewhat heavy, but quite serviceable and very inexpensive tarps from cut-down blue WallyWorld tarps.
The most recent, which I finished last night, was Jenna's. With the exception of my tarp these have all been 8x10 cat-cut rectangular tarps made to be pitched asymmetrically, and they've turned out quite nice, if I do say so myself.
Jenna and I spent this afternoon geocaching, one of her favorite things to do with dear old dad, but she couldn't wait to get home, string up her hammock and tarp and give the tarp a test drive. We set it up between our house and the neighbors and she had barely gotten herself good and comfortable before a rain shower blew in...almost as if on que for a weather test. She stayed high and dry and zonked out for an hour or so until supper was ready.
Check it out...
And I still have a couple of tarps to go. Just call me Omar the Tarpmaker...
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Originally Posted by Steve D
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