Glad to hear Zort. Had a blast brother. Others have checked in on Facebook.
Glad to hear Zort. Had a blast brother. Others have checked in on Facebook.
Was thinking about you guys. Did my own version of the Hotful Hang this weekend.
Mike
Learn to survive and thrive in any situation, for you never know what might happen. Love family and friends passionately. Suffer no fool. Know your purpose in life and follow it with all your heart.
I had a great time hanging in a really sweet location with some good folks. I may have gained a pound from the food and after 51 weeks of air conditioning, I"ll be ready to do it again.
Now I'm ready for some cool weather camping #novemberonmymind
Last edited by UncleMJM; 08-02-2015 at 16:08.
Texas Fall Group Hang 2019
Looking back to last year to reminisce and forward to post Covid-19 hangs in 2021
Texas Hammock Hangers Facebook Group
Dad and I are safely back home after a good hike this afternoon.
Thank you to everyone for great company, and all the great food. It's always nice to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones.
The site, people, and experience were awesome!
Who's missing an inflatable solar lantern? I seem to have one more than I left with.
I ended up with an extra folding chair.
Another Butt Bake in the History books, and this one was the best ever.
All of the Thursday crew were on site by 1700, the camp was set up fairly rapidly, some wood was gathered, and we were in the Butt Baking bidness before dinner. The beauty of the lake, combined with the refreshing breeze and late afternoon rain shower caused immediate second thoughts amongst the denizens about going over to Parking Lot #8 on the morn of the following day, and a soft mutiny was contemplated. We discussed the possibility after being sated by mass quantitites of large animal protein. (You know you are at a Butt Bake when the vegetable that goes along with your meat is wrapped in meat.) I held steadfast to the original plan, so the issue was tabled. We had a Wilderness Ministry discussion, then retired to our various hammocks to be lulled into slumber by tree frogs and a breeze coming across the lake.
The next morning brought the sight of sunlight dappled across the pond, birds chirping, and some snoring as some continued thier well earned rest. I gathered the wherewithall for my morning constitutional and repaired to the end of the pier, slipped my slightly overweight, somewhat elderly body beneath the wavelettes to wash the sleep from my eyes and the funk from my pits. The water was warm and welcoming and smelled like the lakes I knew as a yoot. As I lathered up I felt a deep sense of calm---and my resolve to adhere to the original plan begin to fracture. Sensing this weakness, the hooligans responsible for the original uprising renewed their efforts at breakfast. They plied me with delicious coffee, biscuits from Heaven, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Discussions began again. I gazed across the lake. A fish jumped above the surface for his winged breakfast. A frog croaked. A bird twittered. I swear I saw a bunny hopping along the other shore turn and wink its little eye at me. A breeze came up from the lake again and kissed me on the cheek. I gave in, and will be forever thankful for the efforts made to get me to do so.
Modern communications, and the selflessness of a great bunch of people, made it possible to change the plan. Postings were made here and on the Facebook page, shuttle volunteers stepped up, and most importantly, lollygagging commenced immediately.
The Plan Of The Day for both Friday and Saturday looked like this:
0700-0830: Swim, then eat.
0830-1130: Hike.
1130-1200: Swim/lollygag/fish.
1200-1300: Eat.
1300- 1500: Nap.
1500-1700: Swim/fish/lollygag.
1700-1800: Lollygag
1800-1900: Fish/lollygag/swim
1900-2100: Lollygag/Eat
2100-2400: Palaver around the campfire
Knowing our Duty and Purpose, and relying on our Experience and Training, we rigidly adhered to the schedule, with specialists in the various fields modifying duration of tasks as required.
There's not much more to say, really, except that this was the perfect camping trip---the best one I've been on since I was a child, and that covers a LOT of camping trips. At one point on the exploratory hike of the soon to be Niederhoffer Loop, I turned to Cookiecoon and said "I feel great." and I did. The temperature was perfect, the pace was good, the woods were grand, and the company superb. And then, to return lakeside to laughter and conversation going on between folks sharing a common passion, a good swim to wash off the funk, and an extended lollygag, well, I knew that God is good and His Grace abounds. Whatever I did right to deserve the company of these folks, in this place, at this time, I want to repeat again and again so that I can continue being part of it.
I also want to say again that when I originally started thinking of how to execute this thing, I considered telling folks to meet at PL8 and asking folks to shuttle them over to the Lake on Friday afternoon and evening, but thought that might be too much to ask. I should have known better. We are graced with a good bunch of folks here willing to go an extra mile or two to help out their fellow hangers. Humer91, GMCPS, Baby Huey, Lumberjack, and Uncle Mike all stepped up for shuttle duty. Mrs Baby Huey and Lostagain monitored the comms to insure that folks at PL8 didn't have to wait too long for the shuttle over. Humer91, Lumberjack, Uncle Mike, Brian Maddix, and Mrs Baby Huey all took turns at cooking. The Friday Pot Luck was an unqualified success with GMPCS' brisket and Twokag's chili being the high lights. Cookiecoon and Humer offered a couple of really good "tree prizes"---a very well crafted hammock from Cookiecoon and a 50 degree top quilt from Humer--- as the top tier of gifts for Friday night's entertainment. Mrs Baby Huey was the lucky recipient of a piece verfiably screen used entertainment memorabilia from my soon to be award winning video "The $2 Sit Pad."
I also have to say that I was impressed with the camp I saw on Friday night. I've got a walk through video that I'll try to get up soon that shows a well ordered, clean, and safe campsite occupied by 18 people. All of the attendees are to be congratulated.
I also need to say that the best moment of the entire trip was peering through the slit of my waterbunker watching a bunch of good friends laughing and playing out on the lake. Its a picture I shall carry with me all the rest of my days.
And the Butt Bake that bathes together, stays together.
Next year will follow the same routine, but with a shuttle schedule for the Friday arrivals and some tweaking to the campsite arrangements. Its been determined that we likely have enough campsite gear to cook, preserve, and serve food in shade and/or protected from rain among the folks who showed up Thursday that Friday participants need only bring their sleep shelters, a folding chair, and a small cooler, thus simplify thier packing chores at home.
Last edited by sargevining; 08-03-2015 at 08:26.
Great write up Sarge. We had a blast. Thanks so much for organizing this shindig and we hope to attend many more in the years to come.
Thanks for organizing it Sarge. It was the first 'adult' camp for my son and he enjoyed not having to look out for younger scouts, and not having to be watched by adults. The schedule was a little rigorous, but he did his best to sleep till 10 and still get in a nap in the afternoon. Throwing a Frisbee for the entire weekend can tire a guy out. IMG_20150802_083101.jpg And his crowing achievement of the weekend (other than the bait, I mean fish, he caught) was getting Max to allow him close enough to pet him.IMG_20150802_103112.jpg
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