Be Cool and Hammock On!
Eric,Wanted to let you know that the fire ring has been installed. The guys had a couple of hours while I was off and put it in.
Thanks,
Julie
I recently had the privilege to deliver the fire ring that was graciously donated by Hammock Forums and it's members to Greenwood Lake Management. The following is a letter of thanks for the donation.
This year's Goat Island Hang was definitely a GREAT trip. By the time I finally made it out to the island, I was definitely in need of a RELAXED weekend. Let's just say work was :(
and Goat Island was definitely needed
It was really cool seeing how some people got to the island...I want to give a HUGE thanks to all the cottage vendors who stepped up and helped raise some $$$ for the island.
Vendors in semi-alphabetical order
I would also like to give a shout out to the cooks of Saturday evening's communal meal and to those wonderful folks who shuttled ALL the GEAR needed to make this event possible.
check out the pictures below:
After reading posts about and seeing videos about the Linville Gorge [http://www.linvillegorge.net/], I decided I had to see it for myself. I was originally supposed to go up with some friends and two of my girls, but the wife had other plans. Rather than driving up to the gorge on Friday, we spent the day at the Discovery Island water park in Simpsonville and then went to dinner at Papas and Beer (not a beer joint :) ). Then we drove over to REI to walk off dinner before climbing to the top of and then finally headed home. On Saturday we loaded up the family cruiser and drove up for the day.
This video is from the top of Hawk's Bill in the Linville Gorge. You really MUST see it for yourself. It is SPECTACULAR!!! I made the hike up the trail with a 21 pound baby strapped to my chest.
REI in Greenville, SC had an ENO hammock hanging outside the store tonight - strung way too tight and using slapstraps of course. It was all I could do to keep from embarrassing the wife by going in and educating the entire store on the proper way to hang a hammock.
Muskrat and some of his friends were hammock camping across the road from the trail head to Hawk's Bill. We got to their site around 3:00pm and hiked Hawk's Bill trail. After coming back down from site seeing, we hung out around the site until 6:00pm. All told, we spent 7 1/2 hours on the road for a 3 hour visit.
Was it worth it??? YES!!!! Would I do it again??? Yes!!! But I would rather spend more time the next go 'round.
I can’t believe it is already 2012. Time to start learning to write the date all over again and also time to start planning the third annual Goat Island Hang. This year promises to be bigger and better than last year (and last year was AWESOME! if you don’t believe me check this out -http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=33462&highlight=goat+island)
Reservations for Goat Island this year are for the weekend of May 17th thru May 20th. This is the weekend prior to Memorial Day Weekend and also the weekend just before the Linville Gorge Hang so you don’t have to choose between the two. Attend them both. We have found in the past that a few like to have the option to come out a day early so we now make the reservations for Thursday thru Sunday. However, no pressure for Thursday. In fact, showing up on Saturday is fine too.
In order to get to the island, you will need a boat or chip in for gas if someone is able to provide a shuttle that weekend. Just make sure not to call whomever offers this service the Goat Island Fairy :) Typically we have a group dinner on Saturday evening with the last two years being “Low Country Beaufort Frogmore Boil Stew”. Dessert was also a big hit the last two years where we were treated to some fine talented Dutch Oven cooks. Peach cobbler, blackberry cobbler, and an upside down peach cake... all topped “a la mode”. Talk about being in heaven...)This will be a kid-friendly event so please feel free to bring your family along (that being said... please temper your activities and conversations appropriately). In the past there has not been an agenda other than hang out have fun, and when do we eat? The kids and adults spend a lot of time in the water. Swimming, paddling, fishing, skiing, and tubing were a big hit last year(skiing, tubing, and shuttling thanks to Swampfox!). This year we hope to provide even more opportunities for fun by setting up a compass course on the island to teach or test orienteering skills. The possibilities for fun are not limited by the size of the island - there is even a geocache on the island.
Also, this year we plan on having a silent auction. I already have commitments to donate for this event from some of our much beloved cottage vendors (DIY Gear Supply, Dutchware, Wilderness Logics and others not wishing to be named). The funds raised by this will go to Greenwood Lake Management Department (GLMD) to help in the maintenance of the island campsites.
In order to comply with the reservations we have already made with the GLMD, please make sure to sign up on the roster located here: [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnRHBhAMyxn8dEJsNlpCb1NuZDJ2emFfdFlQUXJ3Ync&hl=en_US#gid=0] There is no fee for camping, just sign up and claim yourself a spot and try to adhere to the GLMD rules as outlined in the fine print at the very bottom of this post :D
Goat Island has no facilities therefor all water for consumption will be brought to the island. We will have access to additional water if needed but there is a small convenience store at Moon’s Landing where basic supplies can be purchased. With that said, also note that there are no restrooms so please be prepared to dispose of all waste properly (ie. catholes, baggies, personal porta-potties, etc.).
Please Enjoy pictures from the 2011 Goat Island Hang
[portfolio_slideshow id=462 size=medium slideheight=400]
Here is the address for the secure parking place at: Moon Landing RV Park & Marina 4105 Watts Bridge Road Cross Hill, SC 29332-5049 (864) 998-4292 www.moonlandingrvpark.com
Per GMLD because it’s my name on the permit-
- No cutting of trees shall be permitted on the Island, or destruction of trees and other plant life.
- Absolutely no littering. All trash and litter brought to the Island must be removed by the expiration of this permit.
- Campfires must be built in such a way as to prevent spread of the fire and must be completely extinguished prior to the expiration of this permit. Fires can only be used to burn dead wood gathered on the Island or brought to the Island. Burning trash is prohibited.
- There will be no camping in the backside of the Island facing the Greenwood County shoreline. All campsites must face the lake body.
- The use of alcohol or illegal drugs is absolutely prohibited.
- Any violation of the above provisions of this permit will result in the immediate revocation of same, the forfeiture of the privilege to receive future permits, and/or prosecution for criminal and civil liabilities that might arise from these violations.
- Checkout time is 2 pm.
