My campsite by Table Rock Lake – It’s a shame my stay was cut short by my COVID-19 vaccination appointment.
Hammock Camping
In 2018, after eight years of intermittent tent camping, I stopped being a ‘ground dweller’ and moved up to hammock camping. The advantages are increased comfort and the flexibility of camping site choices. The disadvantages are the time it takes setting up and breaking down camp. But it is worth it.
My lakeside camp at night – I love this spot.
The View from my hammock, Piney Creek Wilderness, Day Two – You are not supposed to camp this close to a water source, but this was the only spot I could find. +2
Camped by Piney Creek – I spent a long time searching for a decent campsite yesterday evening, and the light was rapidly fading when I picked this spot as the best I could find. +2
Spot my camp – I hadn’t realized that I had camped in sight of the forest road. +1
Rainy day – and it had been a rainy night, the night before.
A break in the clouds.
Sunshine on a rainy morning – This is another deliberate stereo pair. The break in the rain was brief but long enough for me to get some pictures and do some exploring. +1
Camped above ‘Spring Hollow’ – The discovery of several springs near here decided me on my name for this hollow. It needs a name, as I’ll be back. +1
Packed and Ready to go – The Bishop’s staff were delivering the second of two training events for new vestry and church leaders this Saturday morning. Like most meetings nowadays, it was on Zoom. I got to be slide master, and we all gave 10-minute talks to introduce ourselves and let the folks know how we can help them. As soon as we’d finished delivering the morning’s training I was ready to get changed and head out of here! Two-minute read.
All packed up and ready to head home – and it’s only six-and-a-half miles of fairly flat going.
Gear Damage – I tore my under quilt protector when I fell out of my hammock on my last trip. Despite spending half-an-hour looking for the damage at home, I didn’t find it. I’ve now made careful notes of where it is so I can repair it.
Hot chocolate to start the day. +1
Camped above ‘Deep Hollow’ – Despite exploring for several miles yesterday, this appears to be the only place near a water source. Oh, and it rained (a lot) overnight.
Settled in for the night – somehow, despite arriving in daylight, I ended up setting up my hammock in the dark (again).
First hike of 2021 – Camped at ‘Twin Falls Hollow’ – I didn’t start packing my gear until I finished work, and so it was dark when I left home. I started my hike at 7:40 p.m., there was some light from the risen half-moon and the sky was clear. Following the trail was easy, and I kept my headlamp on its lowest setting — which proved to be a mistake when I accidentally took the Cedars Trail in the dark. Two-minute read, +2
Tales of stupidity — Camped overlooking ‘Twin Falls Hollow’ – This trip had been dogged by a series of stupid mistakes. My final mistake could easily have been fatal, but as is usually the case when I do something stupid, I was lucky and got away with it. Until possibly, one day I won’t. Five-minute read, +3
Getting ready to break camp on Day Three.
About to break camp – There are three things to note in this picture…
Good Morning. Hercules Glades – Day Two.