This weekend was great, mixter joined me for a great relaxing weekend out hanging. It started Saturday morning, I got to McKinley woods around 9:30, loaded up a 2 wheeler with firewood and water and dropped it off at the I&M Canal campsite covering it up with a camo tarp so no one would get nosey. Went back to the trailhead at Channahon , paid our camping fee , talked to the IDNR ranger about doing a group winter hang, he said he was fine with it and go for it. I then hiked in and during my hike in mixter texted me and asked if i was there and he was going to come out, that was a pleasant surprise, and got to the site just in time for lunch, had Kabanos sausages, cheese , and a few tortillas. Set up my hammock with the addition of a 2QZQ underquilt protector, replaced underquilt suspension, and a new peak bag and ridgeline organizer. Weather was sunny but cool, and hardly no wind with clear skies. Mixter got there a few hours later, he rode his bike in and set up camp. We talked about hammocking, where we have been , where we would like to go, was great time. Had dinner around 6, my home made chili mac that i also dehydrated, came out great, mixter had a dish he concocted and i'm not sure what it was lol. Started a fire and just talked the night away watching the barges go by, listening to the raccoons fighting in the bushes.... yes , the raccoons are still there.... the coyotes howling. skies were clear, lots of falling stars and temps started to drop. Around 2 or 3 A.M. temps dropped to 27 degrees overnight, thats the coldest Ive ever been hanging in and I was as warm as warm can be, was great. In the morning got up, had coffee and breakfast, packed up and hiked back Channahon, refreshed and rejuvenated to face the world again, till the next time I can get out. Its great having a resource like this so close to home that you can run away to at a moments notice. thanks mixter was great hangin with ya.
And the adventure continues........
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