I live in the Outaouais region. It is a beautiful area to live in if you love nature and the outdoors! Gatineau Park is basically my backyard. For those of you not familiar with Gatineau Park, it is 361 square kilometres (139 square miles) of wooded area that was created in 1938. Part of my goals for 2017 included spending more quality time with my family, living more intentionally, focusing on my well being, living more in the present, and like the majority of people finally getting into shape. It’s September and I am happy to report that I have made significant progress with all the above.
One change that I have made that has had one of the most significant impacts on me this year was getting out and hiking. My husband and I go hiking almost every weekend now in Gatineau Park! Reconnecting with nature and being in the woods creates such a sense of peace, serenity and happiness inside me. When I am hiking in the woods, not only am I spending quality time with my family, and getting exercise (sometimes we are gone on 4-5 hour hikes covering 400 meters in elevation changes), but I am also living more in the present. I spend time observing, enjoying and living in the now. This has also led us down the path of being new/ amateur mycologists since we are spending so much time off trail and enjoying the beauty of the woods all around us. It is truly amazing what you see when you observe what is right in front of you. Reconnecting with nature is a way to create a true sense of happiness. It also helps to alleviate stress and helps us to remember more. Our brains need down time to process what we learn and do on a daily basis. And with the hectic work weeks that I have, often working overtime, hiking and being in nature contributes to my well-being and sense of balance if you are looking at it in a work-life balance way.
So what does all of this have to do with Lawson Hammocks? Well as part of my goal is to live intentionally this year, and getting out and exploring like we are in the woods, I need the right equipment with me. These hammock tents make a good car camping tents as they are very easy to install and put down. I also feel that I sleep a lot better on them than I do with tents set up on the uneven ground.I want equipment that creates a small footprint when I am in the woods, is lightweight, durable and I want to help support companies that have similar values as my own. I love innovative and useful designs. But more often it is the people behind the companies that inspire me as I am all about the culture, vision and beliefs that they share. Lawson Hammock meets all of this. The founder, Wes Johnson, is a great guy! He is extremely passionate about the Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock, and he works hard to make sure that he has a great, quality product. You can tell that it is a labor of love. He is working hard to create a positive brand experience.
The Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock is perfect to take along on hikes and on weekend camping trips. It lets you camp out anywhere! It is a unique hybrid tent-hammock. All you need is 2 trees and you are all set! The Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock can also be set up and pegged to the ground as well if you prefer. It is versatile and when hung properly from trees leaves no trace on the ecosystem around you. To me that is very important, as I don’t want to damage the woods around me and I strive to leave minimal trace of having been there. As a budding amateur mycologist I also don’t want to damage fungi and prevent new fruiting bodies from forming, by stepping on them and squishing them. Or by having a tent lying on top of them.
The Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock weighs only 4.25 lbs. (including poles, rain fly and stuff sack). It can easily be carried or stuffed into my backpack. Even if I am not using it to sleep overnight somewhere it is great to have with me in case I want to stop and rest for a bit or to simply enjoy that ‘perfect spot’ that I have discovered. Nothing like relaxing in a hammock, in a secluded wooded area, with only the sounds of nature around you. That to me is true peace.
Set-Up
The Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock is so easy to set up. I admit to being one of those people that really doesn’t like to read instructions before trying something (or building something). But the Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock is very self-intuitive. I had it set-up within 5 minutes with no issues and my husband did the same. I know that there are various systems out there to hang hammocks from trees but I am using the Tree Huggers (Hammock Straps) that Lawson has on their site as well. Just wrap the straps around any tree or post, connect the hammock to the S Hooks and you’re in business!
This hammock has spreader bars that open up the hammock so it doesn’t fold in on you and confine you to a cocoon. This design allows you to stretch out and even roll over.
It comes with lightweight arch poles that keep the no-see-um net canopy off your face and give it more of a tent feel. The arch poles go into designated sleeves that give a small gap about an inch above the net. The gap is prevent the included tarp from touching the netting and creating condensation.
Design
I love the no-see-um net that is included. It can be taken off the hammock but I cam’t imagine myself ever doing this. It is not obstructive and you can still see clearly all around you. (As you can see in this photo below taken from inside the netting.)
The included rain / weather tarp is an amazing bonus to have! It protects you from the elements and wraps around the Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock very snugly! The corners of the tarp clip to the hammock body where the tent poles attach, by means of small shock cord loops. There are also hook-and-loop patches that allow the tarp to grab onto the hammock. And more importantly it does the job of keeping the rain out.
I had no issue or concern of flipping. I have used hammocks previously and if you know how to get in and out of one and are careful, then this should not be an issue. I find it to be extremely comfortable to lie in and can spend hours just hanging out. (Literally).
Overall
I LOVE the Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock. I absolutely LOVE it! (You can tell from the huge smile on my face in the photos posted too.) I know it is going to serve my needs well, and those of my family, and be used for many years to come. It has enhanced my enjoyment of being in the woods. I can roam more and be off trail knowing that I have a shelter with me that can be hung basically anywhere. It is definitely worth the cost with all that is included (net canopy and tarp) and the quality as well. I also love showing others the Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock as well. It is a great conversation starter if you are in a more populated area when setting it up. Not only is it a great product it also come from a great company and founder! (Even more reason to recommend it.)
Be Free, Be Adventurous and Roam More!
Specifications:
- Total Weight: 4.25 lbs. (including poles, rain fly and stuff sack)
- Interior Length: 90 in.
- Interior Width: 42 in.
- Packing Size: Packs to: 22in x 6 in.
- Weight Limit: 275 lbs.
Construction:
- Hammock body made of ripstop-nylon and poly pack cloth.
- No-see-um net canopy keeps bugs out.
- Waterproof nylon border on the canopy protects against water blowing up under rain fly.
- Waterproof ripstop-nylon rain fly included.
- Strong spreader bars and shock-corded aluminum archpoles for the net canopy.
Additional Features:
- Two interior storage pockets.
- O-ring in ceiling for hanging light.
- Stuff sack included.
- Use suspended or on the ground.
