What a great weekend I had camping. Starting out Friday after work, I set the hammock up in at W9UUMs campsite at Lake Neshonic campground and spent some time chatting with him and enjoying some sweet corn and a campfire.
Saturday morning greeted me with a bit of fog, headed for Galesville on the Goldwing about 8AM. Met KC9ECI at his house where we then headed for Decorah Mound.
We were met by Blake upon arriving at the Mound, he gave a ride a short way toward our goal. The road only went about 1/3 of the way up the hill, time to bushwack through the weeds. Rooster grabbed the camo poles, Peanut got the solar panel Tom took the big battery. It was quite a hike, pretty steep. The top of the mound was really good for camping, big enough trees for the hammock and nice shade, but still a lot of good open area. I spent a bit of time cutting brush and trees (Blake said 'cut it all if you want'). Got the sleeping assembly set up, cut some more brush for the sunrise view and set up the radio. Tom tried making some contacts, but they were few because it was nice out and he figured everyone was out enjoying the day and more activity would happen later. I started gathering firewood and relaxing in the hammock. Tom felt the need for beer, said I planted the idea in his head (and I probably did). He was willing to climb the hill again for it, so we grabbed the camo poles and solar panel (we were done with them) and headed down. Tom joked something about his truck keys when we got to the bottom of the hill, yeah I fell for it. After a trip to the store, we enjoyed one before the truck doors shut and started on another before heading up. Carried the rest and started climbing. It was worth it.
When we got back up, there was alot more activity in the contest and we kept both radios going for a while. Forgot the count total, but it was quite a run.
Started a fire using the magnesium block, it worked pretty well. After burning the grass around the fire off we had a pretty good fire.
Great temp over night, not hot, not cold. Morning came with a nice orange glow and the valley socked in with fog. The sunrise was great.
A cup of coffee and time to break camp. We got packed up and headed down into the fog. Tom tried putting the battery in his pack, but it was just too heavy, his running shoes were slipping on the wet ground too much to be safe. Peanut and his hiking boots packed the battery. We discussed gear and weight and different camping locations on the way down. The plan for breakfast got squashed when we saw the time. We both had to be home early, so we postponed 'til next week.
Can't wait to go again.