My New Friend - Olympia, WA - 7160 Miles

Since completing my animal interaction studies from the deck, I've been spending time with my new best friend - the hammock. Shortly after our arrival I tried the "lower hammock". This instrument of torture was called a parachute hammock, I believe, because of the material used in its construction. The hammock was strung unevenly between two trees and above some seriously sloped ground. Entering was easier than expected, but once in the hammock enveloped me much as a Venus Fly Trap would. Though comfortable, I immediately knew getting out would not be an easy process. I figured I might as well enjoy it so I spent about an hour right on that edge of almost asleep and almost awake. Inevitably the time came to move on so I started thrashing my arms and legs with no success, always ending in the exact same position. I had my cell phone and internally debated which would be less humiliating - calling 911 or Terry for rescue. I was not yet to the point where either seemed viable. Finally accepting I could throw myself over the edge of the hammock but would have little control over what body parts would hit the ground first (or even second), I planned my next escape attempt. I struggled until getting my center of gravity above and outside the edge of the hammock causing it to spit me out. After significant stumbling on the slope of the hill I managed to grasp a nearby tree, but hands and feet were all that touched the ground.


I had given up on hammocks until one day, while alone, I tried the "upper hammock". This one seemed much more promising. It sat on level ground and had support pieces preventing the sides from enveloping me as the other hammock had. Clearly designed for the aged and infirm such as myself, it was equally comfortable without sealing me inside. I watched the clouds pass overhead while the breeze sustained a slight rocking back and forth and soon returned to my preferred state of semi-consciousness. Getting up was only slightly more complicated than getting out of bed. I don't know where our next home will be, but it may be planned around a hammock.