Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19

Thread: Billy

  1. #1
    New Member Double Deke's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    St Albert, AB
    Hammock
    DIY Double layer
    Tarp
    DIY hex tarp
    Insulation
    Mummy bag
    Suspension
    DIY whoopie slings
    Posts
    17

    Billy

    Every year I go out for some alone time. Last couple years I’ve hiked into a secluded spot overlooking a nearby lake and set up my hammock on the Friday for an overnighter. With camp set this year by 5 pm, I’m sitting back in my hammock, tarp in porch mode, and a belly full of roast beef sandwich as the sun glistens off the lake. Turquoise water contrasting with the deep blue sky and lush greenery all around. A loon calling out and the gentle evening breeze through the leaves are the only sounds in the air. I still smell the last hints of lilac blossoms barely perceptible amidst pine and spruce mixed with birch and poplar. Light wisps of cloud high up in the sky means the weather should be fair for at least the next day or so.

    The temperature never gets too hot here in June ... mid 20s Celsius, or high 70s Fahrenheit, but the clear sky means that it will be chilly once the sun goes down. It stays light until well after 10 pm, though, so for now it’s warm and tranquil. Perhaps a deer or coyote hiding in the brush might be watching me lazily lounging in my hammock. There’s no danger to them, or me. Everything is calm. Again the loon calls. Everything around me lush and in bloom. An ant crawls over my foot.

    At home, I’d be having a double of single malt scotch paired with a wonderful maduro cigar ... but that’s at home. Here it’s all about the moment, nature, tranquility, and my reminiscent journey. I never smoke on the trail ... or drink. Life’s small pleasures don’t compare to the connection I feel with nature. I couldn’t tarnish that with anything because my soul desperately needs this moment, like a spiritual massage. I feel whole and complete.

    My mind drifts off to the memory of my oldest child. A solitary tear means that my heart hasn’t fully healed. Perhaps he is the architect of this moment just for me on Father’s Day weekend. The breeze rustles the leaves with one last breath and now everything is still. The ant is gone, the deer and coyote still in hiding, and even the loon is quiet. A personal moment of silence. Mother Nature’s gift to me, nurturing and compassionate.

    Thank you, Lord, for this place. Thank you for my privacy. Thank you for my son, the time I had with him, and the love we all shared. And thank you for this perfect moment. Thank you, Billy. I will have a happy Father’s Day. I love you, Son, and I miss you dearly.
    Hammock Camping - The original DoubleTree experience.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    sussex, uk
    Hammock
    WBB XLC
    Tarp
    winterdream 11ft
    Insulation
    HG stuff
    Suspension
    becket straps
    Posts
    163
    So sorry for your loss ,especially on this day,but you have lovely memories and will be at peace someday, thank you for the insight into your special time away

  3. #3
    Senior Member Need2noCallahan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Camdon, NC
    Hammock
    HG 10’ w/net
    Tarp
    Anything with door
    Insulation
    HQ 20*/40* UQ-TQ
    Suspension
    Tree straps to con
    Posts
    361
    Double Deke, God bless you and all Fathers on this and every Father’s Day. Having the time, place, means and memories are special gifts.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Senior Member NOBOZax's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Peoria, Illinois
    Posts
    134
    So sorry for your loss.... Beautiful, descriptive and sorrowful write up. God Bless you and your son

    Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Benson Burner's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Washington
    Hammock
    Ridge Runner
    Tarp
    Cloudburst
    Insulation
    Lynx, HG burra
    Suspension
    Warbonnet
    Posts
    904
    Images
    13
    Thank you for writing that it means a lot to me. Praise God.

    God bless you sir.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Volcanoes and waterfalls, trees and hammocks,
    Columbia River gorge, in Benson Burner's attic.
    http://www.youtube.com/my_videos

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Blairsville, GA
    Hammock
    WBBB XLC
    Tarp
    Warbonnet Superfly
    Insulation
    JRB MW3 + Sniveler
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    288
    Images
    7
    If you are not already a published author, you missed your calling. Beautiful prose there.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Rouskof's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Paris, France
    Hammock
    GE ; RR ; Vertex ; Tentsile
    Tarp
    HG Cubens W/ doors
    Insulation
    Yeti, Wookis, Lynx
    Suspension
    dyneema strap/ring
    Posts
    840
    Images
    1
    +1, beautiful description.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Sarasota Florida
    Hammock
    Warbonnet ridgerunner/ chameleon
    Tarp
    WB Thunderfly
    Insulation
    Synthetic UQ
    Suspension
    Dutch beetles
    Posts
    357
    We love ya. Thank you for the amazing read.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  9. #9
    OlTrailDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Corvallis/Stevensville, MT
    Hammock
    Hammocktent 90*, Sparrow, WBBB XLC
    Tarp
    light & waterproof
    Insulation
    Ongoing experiment
    Suspension
    Ongoing experiment
    Posts
    1,873
    Dang, tough read. Glad cowboys don't cry. The best to you friend, from us who have shared similar losses.

  10. #10
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Toronto, ON
    Posts
    76
    On a similar anniversary, recently, I said, "Grief changes, but it never really goes away."

    I wish you peace.

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. FS: Fry Bake Alpine. Granite Gear Blaze pack and Zebra 12 cm billy pot
      By Seadug in forum [SOLD/WITHDRAWN] Items no longer available
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 07-02-2019, 11:51
    2. Ouachita National Forest @ Billy Creek, OK
      By Alan in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 13
      Last Post: 04-19-2011, 18:12

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •