Chatting with some of the new folks on the forum has reminded me that my relationship with my hammock has entered a very comfortable stage. I was reflecting on those early days so I wrote down the stages I've gone through in my hammock relationship. Some folks seem to go through this same cycle -- what's your experience?
Courting Stage
Sleeping on the ground is painful! I hate rocks in my back and sliding down my sleeping bag in the middle of the night! My two-man tent is so heavy, and bulky, and MUGGY in this summer heat. Ug, and breathing my hiking buddy's dragon breath in the tent is BARF!
What's this? Hammocks? WTH? Okay, I'll check it out. Hmm. Hey, this is pretty cool. I wonder if it will work for me.
Getting Serious Stage
Okay, I'm seeing a lot of great benefits here. Hammocks seem to be the way to go. I like the "enclosed" feeling of a tent, so I think I'm going to try [BRAND] hammock and go for it. It's lighter than my tent!
Honeymoon Stage
HOLY COW! My first night in my hammock was AWESOME! So comfortable. It's summer time and I'm completely protected with the built-in bug netting. And the cool breeze underneath is so refreshing in this heat. No wonder people love hammock camping. I'm going to do this the rest of my life!
Conflict Stage
8:00 PM - Oh I love my hammock. It's so comfortable. This is the best thing that ever happened to me.
10:00 PM - Oh, this is so comfortable. And the stars are so beautiful. I love rocking here and enjoying this comfort. Ha! My buddies are snoring in their tent. I can just imagine how grumpy they are going to be in the morning after sleeping on rocks all night. Plus, they're missing these great views. Ha!
12:00 AM - I think I'll play a little iTunes. Hammocks are so comfy! Gosh! I'm tired...
3:00 AM - Oh, I am SO TIRED. Why can't I fall asleep. I am so COMFORTABLE but I can't get to sleep. What's the deal?
5:00 AM - OH MY GOSH! I'm freezing in this thing. It's only fall and I'm freezing my butt off. Hammocks SUCK! What's the deal!? My 20°F bag should be good for this! And I am SO TIRED! Why can't I fall asleep! All these knots and lashings and strings and CRAP are too complicated. Maybe I should go back to tents.
8:00 AM - I think I slept a little. I am so grumpy. Oh, NICE. My buddies are awake. But I was so comfortable. I guess that's something.
NOTE: It is in the conflict stage where hangers make a course change -- motivated either to "give the whole thing up" and quit the relationship, or determined to try something else and "give it another shot." This is a critical time in the relationship because it either leads to reconciliation and fulfilled relationship or a break-up.
Reconciliation Stage
Okay, I'm going to stick with this. My first experiences were so great, so comfortable, but then I could never get to sleep -- I was too "giddy," I think, to actually sleep. I think that phase is over. I'm trying all kinds of things now to make this work -- under quilts, top quilts, Whoopie Slings, buckles, pads, do-it-yourself projects. I'm investing because those first experiences were SO GOOD. I want to see if I can capture it again. I mean, it was so revolutionary to sleep so comfortably, to sleep nearly anywhere I wanted -- I really want this to work.
Completion Stage
I know what works for me. I've tried a few things, but I'm sticking with [BRAND] hammock because it works for me. I'm comfortable with the set-up. Along the way I've discovered some time-saving techniques. It may not be the whiz-bang stuff they talk about on the forums, but I'm okay with that. I've got my system. You know what else? I want to help other hangers out who might be going through the rough spots and let them know there's hope out there! It does work! I LOVE MY HAMMOCK!
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