Howdy from Traverse City, MI

[Johnny Mustache]

Howdy folks.

I want to say up front how grateful I am for all of you who share your knowledge and experience with us new people just discovering the sweet-swinging serenity of hanging in a nylon butt bucket. There's a lot to figure out, and you guys help make the learning curve a little less steep. Thank you.

I've done a lot of camping, but somehow military service seemed to take most of the joy out of it. Just surfing YouTube.com one day I happened on DIY alcohol stoves, which eventually led me to some of Shug's videos. Suddenly I saw somebody having fun in the outdoors, which reminded me of the fun I used to have backpacking and tent camping as a kid in Boy Scouts.

Then I found some of Fronkey's trail report videos and realized I felt the same passion for hiking and camping as those guys, and that there wasn't anything stopping me from having as much fun as them.

So I've jumped into hammock camping and gotten back into hiking. I've set a goal of walking the entire perimeter of Leelanau County, MI this season in 10 to 15 mile stretches (wish me luck getting around some of those docks on Grand Traverse Bay) and sleeping out in my hammock as much as possible.

I'm trying to make as much of my gear as possible, following carefully the instructions I find here and at tothewoods.net. Hopefully, as I figure things out, I can share some of my mistakes and help other folks trying to figure it out too.

Thanks again, and I'm very happy to be here.

Johnny Mustache

[Fronkey]

That's great Mr. Mustache and it makes me smile to hear that you are getting out there and enjoying the woods too. I wish you a good walk on your perimeter take down. Happy hanging dude.

Fronkey

[TZBrown]

Welcome to the forum

There is a vast knowledge base here for sure

Hope to see you at a MI group hang sometime

[Redoleary]

Welcome from the greater Battle Creek area.

[Zilla]

Welcome from NJ..