13.   On Regatta Day Eve (a mid week holiday here in St. John's) I made a last minute decision to throw some gear in the truck and head out for an overnight adventure with my new camping hammock. This hammock is a Free Soldier camping hammock purchased on Ebay.

12.   It was almost 7pm when I hit the highway, I headed west to Whitbourne and into the top of Sooley's Pond where we have our winter cabin trip fire spot. This past winter we revamped it with new seating and a general clean up.

11.   The weather cooperated perfectly with almost no wind and warm temperatures, temps actually hit 26 degrees! I had no fear of being cold on this adventure!

10.   Until recently this has been a rare summertime view of our fire pit clearing. Previous to the new Nalcor transmission line clearing & gravel road you could only access it by skidoo in the winter or boat in summer.

9.   I set up my new hammock between two sturdy trees. I decided not to set up the rain-fly as there was a zero percent chance of precipitation overnight. Hopefully that decision actually works out!

8.   With sleeping accommodations set I lit a small campfire and settled in with my first of a few cold beverages for the evening. The ground here is low and quite wet when you walk on it so there was very little chance of the campfire spreading, however I kept two water containers full nearby.

7.  

6.  

5.   Since I was late leaving town I had already eaten supper. I grabbed a couple sandwiches and other snacks along the way, there was no fancy backwoods cooking on this impromptu trip!

4.

3.   Once the moon rose above the tree line it got quite bright!

2.   After an absolutely amazing mosquito free sleep in my screened hammock (also no rain, showers, or other precipitation) I got up early the next morning to drown a few worms.

1.   I am very impressed with my new camping hammock. After this initial shakedown run I have a better understanding of stuff I should take and stuff I can leave at home. Maffer & Sooley have also purchased Free Soldier hammocks so we will have to get out on a group adventure soon!

Cheers, MIKE

Copyright © 2025 Michael Smith