Texas Fall Group Hang 2013

**Wisp** · 11-12-2013, 00:11

All I can say is WOW! This was our first hang and it was certainly an awesome weekend. By Sunday, I felt as though many of the forum folks and families we met were like extended family. I can't imagine a nicer bunch.

My daughter kept asking when we'd be doing it again. That is HUGE for a 10 year old. She's usually bored with camping activities within the first few hours. This was not only Claire's first weekend out on a hang, but literally her very first weekend to spend nights in a hammock. She LOVED it!! However her favorite activity involved the lighting of the Swedish candle and colored flames in the bonfire that Allen did or did not start.

To make a great weekend nearly perfect, I took home the amazing UGQ Winter Dream tarp with pole mod!!!!! I cannot tell you how much we love that prize. I admired the UGQ Quilts and Tarps all weekend long and will be probably be ordering more from their website. Their products are beautifully crafted.

I cannot remember to name everyone we were able to speak to and get to know just a bit, but it was wonderful to meet the Wannabee's, Curtis, Slinky & Max, Old Gringo, Caveman, Brute, Corncob, Brandi and family, Sarge & many many others. Uncle Mike and firends whipped up a mean breakfast taco bar to feed an army of hungry hammackers. A special thanks to Pinenut and his generous family for taking time on Sunday to show me how to work with amsteel before heading home!!

We'll be looking forward to meeting up with friends old and new at the next Texas Hang!

**Chevin** · 11-12-2013, 02:19

Originally Posted by Brute1100

Awesome weekend... My highlight had nothing to do with hammocks though... I got to play Indiana Jones for a little bit!!!

Other than that the rest of the weekend was as expected, great friends, too much food, laughing so much your face hurts, laughing so much you lose your voice, realizing some people can't handle their liquids, checking out dozens and dozens of set ups, helping out some new friends, and realizing no one on this forum is sane... I wouldn't have it any other way...

That was hilarious. One minute, Erin was hanging out at the campsite, and before we realized she was gone, you guys drove by. What an awesome weekend. Finally got to use my TQ/UQ setup in cool weather

**Guyz** · 11-12-2013, 08:20

Thanks everyone for a great time. This was Jan's first hang & she loved it! The Grand Trunk hammock she picked up at the drawing was the icing on the cake. I had to put a suspension on it Sunday night when we got home and set it up on the front porch so she could try it. She's now talking about where I should put the hooks in the house so she can hang there. You Texas folks know how to throw a great party. Thanks Mike! Fabulous time. Rat, I know I talked your ear off--but thanks for all the tech talk! Dave, couldn't make it without your coffee & conversation.

**Rat** · 11-12-2013, 12:42

Next year the Rat Mischief will plan a little better (totally my fault BTW) so we can have more time with the early arrivals. Y'all have no idea how I needed this trip; I love my new job but but I REALLY needed a break! The hang was just what the doctor would have ordered, if I had a doctor...

I propose for next year a photography class/tutorial/outing type thing. I LOVE to shoot, but I don't have the creative eye that y'all do (matthew200tx, Carpio etc). I just generally take a lot of shots which allows me to 'accidentally' get enough good ones to share with everyone.

I have the technical stuff down, ISO, aperture, f-stop etc, but I lack the vision. I propose a camera workshop where we could discuss the technical side of shooting, and then a walk in the woods to learn the creative, what-to-look-for side of shooting. I can handle the technical stuff if we can have someone else (or two) handle the creative stuff. Just something to think about, no need to commit now...

This shot, for example, would have never even crossed my mind! But it is such a cool shot!

We had such a blast, like we always do! Gage slept about half of the way home and is definitely ready for next year; nice to have other kids to play with he said!

It was great to see so many kids, girls and women and this year's hang! I don't get the lack of kids and women at camp activities like this; I guess I have just always dragged Gage and Roz along with me! I love to see families in the woods (except for my little brother's family, but that's another story!), it really makes me feel like this country might have a chance after all!

Enough rambling, y'all get the idea...

On to the next hang!

**Jazilla** · 11-12-2013, 14:15

Looks like you guys had a great time. I'm going to try my hardest to make it next year.

**Throkda** · 11-12-2013, 16:24

Ooh, a photo workshop -- I could get into that!

**matthew2000tx** · 11-12-2013, 22:17

A few more...

**lostagain** · 11-13-2013, 22:42

Originally Posted by UncleMJM

The HammEck was a hit.

It's a great looking piece of gear. Excellent craftsmanship and price. I don't see how they will make much selling them because they are a real bargain.

I know that Lostagain was excited to win it and don't mind saying I'm a bit jealous.

I can see it as a great entry hammock for scouts, youth groups, and others just getting into the hammock world. It's also a good option for those who have a full blown camping rig with netting but are looking for something for cooler weather when the bugs are away.

Yes I was and Yes I am excited to get hanging in it. BUT...in reading the text that came with the hammock I saw that it will only hold 225 lbs. That's a bit less than my fat butt weighs, so I contacted them and David at Hammeck is absolutely great to work with. I'm sending it back and he's going to add a layer, credit me with the cost of the hammock and only charge me shipping + the material cost!

Aside form winning the hammeck, I also was awarded with new friendships, and meeting some really great folks. First guy I met was Tarp and it just got better from there. I had an absolutely great time for my first ever group hang and will be coming to many more.

I also like the idea of a photo workshop. I've got an old school film camera that's great for composition shots. (Rat: every good photographer takes a billion shots in the hope of getting 1 good one. Sometime I'll tell you about my time at National Geographic).

**Brute1100** · 11-14-2013, 00:09

So your saying Tarp was the bottom of the barrel huh... Nothing but love for my brother tarp, best person I have ever known for remembering names... And a interesting guy to boot...