I slept in my hammock

March 2nd 2021, 355 days into quarantine, I decided to sleep in my hammock…

I started setting up around 8pm. I placed my sleeping bag in the hammock, unzipped it, and opened the flap. Next I inserted a few blankets, to insulate the bag. It was supposed to be 44 degrees Fahrenheit that night.

Once it was set up, I got in. This was the most challenging part. Being able to get into the bag without falling out of the hammock, but still being comfortable.

I remember lying down, in the hammock, looking up and seeing the stars. It was just what I needed. After 355 days in quarantine, it felt like camping again. Being able to smell the cold air outside, made me feel like I wasn’t in my backyard. Like I was in the great outdoors experiencing whatever nature felt willing to share. Truly an enriching experience.

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I sleep, I like having the freedom to move around. I might not move or change positions all night, but I like having that option. When you’re sleeping in a sleeping bag, inside of a hammock, you’re movement’s pretty restricted. To the point, that you can’t actually move at all. So be aware that you may have some stiffness the next day. If this is an issue for you. I would recommend trying a 2 person hammock, to see if that works better.

For me the experience was relaxing. I dressed warm, and was extremely comfortable, so I found myself at ease outside. Although I did notice something strange. I didn’t hear one cricket. I always used to hear crickets outside growing up. I don’t know, it struck me as odd, that I hadn’t heard or seen not one cricket, when I used to hear them all the time…

So there I was, hanging between two trees, under the stars. Listening to the cars pass by, the screech of a motorcycle zooming by. Birds chirping, mice and rats running among the trees. It was like I wasn’t there all the activity taking place around. Eventually I drifted off to sleep.

That was until 3:33a.m. That’s when all the animals in the neighborhood decided to wake up. All of a sudden one dog howled, then another, and another & pretty soon I was howling with all the other dogs in the neighborhood. It was at this time I decided maybe it was better for me to go inside.

So I took one last look at the moon and went inside…

Although It was a cool experience and I highly recommend laying in a hammock at night and even sleeping in one for the experience, I realized not being able to move, that I would rather sleep inside.

recommendations for the future: in terms of comfort just sleep on the floor in your sleeping bag vs. inside the hammock.

8/10