Tom, inventor of the Hennessy Hammock, demonstrates setting up the rainfly. It's quick and easy, and the result is stable and provides excellent protection with a minimum of materials.

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All the tips you need to know about the use of the hammock, no cutting involved. Tarp in rain, tarp in sun, use of snake skins for cooking and a drip stop, hanging your shoes, extra paracord ridge-line, how to use it as a chair, how to use it as a hammock without getting in, putting it away. The hammock used is the HH Explorer Deluxe A-Sym, bought from www.armynnavy.com it has been thoroughly used on expeditions in Borneo, Sumatra and Thailand.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

In a hot climate there is nothing better to sleep cool at night than a hammock. In the winter this can be a problem. One of the the coldest nights I have ever spent in the bush was here in Brazil in a hammock. Here in Brazil we use tropical weight bags that are not rated for cool weather. This video details how to rig a US Army poncho liner as a back blanket or under quilt as some call it. Hanging the blanket on the outside of the hammock is a much better use of the resource than just laying on it.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Technorati Tags: definitive, guide, hammock, hennessy, know, need, Setup, Tips, use.

Important Hammock Safety Tips

Article by Adam Murray

Adding a hammock to your backyard is a great idea because it gives you a special get-a-way space that is perfect for relaxing, reading a book, or just napping away.

However, must owners of hammocks fail to consider the importance of safety when it comes to their hammock.

Unfortunately, people are injured every year while using a hammock. This is almost always because of improper set-up or unintended use of the hammock.

Hammocks have literally been around for over 1000 years. They aren't normally considered dangerous, but reasonable care and caution should always be a concern you have. There are instances when you need to be more careful than not.

Setting up the hammock

When you are assembling your hammock, be sure to follow all directions carefully. Do not try and do things your own way or "rig" the hammock by any other means than indicated. If the hammock is not properly assembled or secured, it can be a risk to yourself or anyone else who may lay on it.

Safety for Children

Children should never be allowed to use a hammock without parental supervision. Small children have been known to fall or even become tangled in the hammock. If a child does become tangled in the hammock, they have a hard time freeing themselves and sometimes the hammock can even end up tangled around their neck resulting in choking.

It is very important to make it clear to your children that the hammock is not a toy because they can be unstable and unsafe. Inform them that they should not jump on, or swing fast on them and always be sure to have an adult nearby before using the hammock.

Make sure the Hammock is Secure

You should always check to make sure all connections are secure and not showing any signs of fraying or ware. Also, be sure to check the ropes of the hammock to make sure that they still look strong and durable.

General Use

While using the hammock, do not make sudden movements, instead make slow movements and this will decrease your chances of falling from the hammock. Also, be sure nothing that you are wearing could get caught in the hammock such as jewelry, pins, or any other similar item.

Once again, hammocks are not overall dangerous, but proper care and use need to be a part of your hammock usage because injuries can occur. Be safe and relax!

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Traveling Green Tips: Strategies TO Save Money While Traveling Green

There are a lot of travel companies out there, many of which are great and many of which are scams.  We hope that you avoid any travel scams that are out there and if you have any questions or concerns about an upcoming vacation, or if you are just looking around, Travel To Go Scam Watch is here to answer any and all questions you may have.  So without further ado we bring you our article.

The terms “green travel” or “ecotourism” evoke a wide variety of images ranging from sleeping in hammocks to purchasing pricey hemp luggage from the newest “hip” shopping center.  However, to travel green one does not have to do without luxury or inversely to spend a lot of money.  It simply means doing your part to preserve the ecology of the place(s) you visit.  In fact, green travel can save you money at the same time.  We have provided the following list of 30 ways to save money through green tourism, while at the same time doing your part to “save the planet”.

Packing and Planning

1. Pack light, especially when flying.  It not only saves on extra baggage fees, but less baggage equals less weight equals less fuel.

2.  Print maps and tourist information before you go.  Better yet, borrow a guidebook from the local library and save a tree. 

3. Purchase empty travel bottles and fill them with your favorite shampoo and other products.  By reusing them on multiple trips you save money and keep dozens of travel size bottles from local landfills.

4. Bring your own digital camera instead of purchasing an expensive disposable camera that can only be used once before being dumped in a landfill.

5. Consider purchasing a solar charger as most cameras, cell phones and iPods can be quickly and easily recharged this way. 

6. Consider traveling closer to home this year to avoid flying.  Flying is getting more expensive every day and uses a tremendous amount of fuel and contributes a lot of pollution to the air.

7.  Combine work and play.  If you have to fly somewhere on business plan your personal vacation before or after so you won’t have to fly twice.

Transportation

8.  Whenever possible get around town using public transportation.

9.  Take short trips by walking or using a bicycle.

10. If you have to rent a car get a small one, or better yet rent a hybrid.  Many car rental companies are now offering hybrid vehicles. Sure they might cost a little bit more to rent, but typically you save on fuel prices.

11. If taking your own automobile, take some or all of the following steps to increase your fuel efficiency and save on gas costs while reducing emissions.  Have a tune-up before you leave, make sure your tires are properly inflated and reduce the number of unnecessary items you might have stored in the back seat or in your trunk. Turn off the air conditioner whenever possible.  Reduce any drag on your car by removing roof racks and driving with your windows closed.

12. Carpool whenever one is available.  Carpooling is not just for work anymore!

During Your Trip

13. Eat locally produced food.  It is a lot healthier and less expensive and it saves on all the shipping costs and emissions from transporting them across the country.

14. Buy locally produced souvenirs.  Handicrafts made by locals are not only sustainable but they are often a fraction of the price of items shipped in from out of town.

15. Visit local, state and national parks and reserves.  The costs are usually very reasonable and the fees are used to support these protected areas.

16. Bring your own reusable water bottle instead of filling up landfills with old ones.  If the tap water is not safe to drink at your destination, purchase a gallon size or larger of water and use it to refill your smaller bottle.  It saves you money buying in bulk and saves the environment from billions of water bottles.

Accommodation

17. Stay with family and friends whenever possible.  Hotels use a lot more energy and resources than homes through daily cleaning, mini bottles of shampoo, hallway lights constantly lit. Whenever you do stay in hotels remember to turn off the lights and TV, turn the A/C down whenever you leave, and when an option reuse the towels and sheets instead of changing them daily.

18. Look into a home exchange whenever you can.  This type of tourism not only saves you money over an expensive hotel, but you can more easily practice green living while away from home.

As you can see, using just a few items from the list above can save money and energy and helps one protect the environment while traveling. As one of the industry leaders in membership travel clubs, Travel To Go (http://www.traveltogo.com )actively supports Green Travel. 

Travel to Go is happy to provide this information and if you have any questions feel free to visit our website by going to http://traveltogoblog.com/. 

 
 

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Tips on Care and Cleaning of Your Hammocks

A hammock is one of the most relaxing pieces of outdoor furniture you can enjoy in the comfort of your home. Kicking back in a hammock on a breezy summer day can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the summer season. However, trying to figure out how to clean your hammock puts many hammock owners in a quandary. There are several ways to clean your hammock at the end of a summer season, or just to keep it clean in between.

First, you should determine which type of hammock you have. There are two types of hammocks, hammocks with spreader bars and hammocks without spreader bars.

Cleaning a hammock without spreader bars

For hammocks without spreader bars, you can use washing machine. The cloth part of the hammock can be washed this way without any problems. In fact this is the easiest option when it comes to cleaning your hammock of this type.

To prepare this piece for washing you need to follow a few small tips:

1. Grab the hammock by the metal rings on each end and fold the hammock in half. Tie the metal rings together with a piece of string to prevent tangling and damage to the hammock.

2. Put the tied together hammock into a pillowcase and place in your washing machine.

3. Wash the hammock according to manufacturer's specifications, using a mild detergent.

4. Do not use bleach when washing your hammock, as the bleach can damage the fibers.

5. Hang the hammock until it is dry.

6. To store the hammock, you can fold it up when dry and place the hammock into a storage bag, or you can hang it from hooks in a dry, out of the way place.

Cleaning a hammock with spreader bars

Cleaning a hammock with spreader bars takes a little more time and includes a little bit more involvement from your side:

A hammock with spreader bars cannot be placed into a washing machine, making hand washing the only option for you.

Here are a few simple tips to follow for easy cleaning:

1. Clean off a spot on a hard surface to put the hammock down on.

2. Spread the hammock out, and brush excess dirt off the hammock using a soft bristled brush.

3. Once the dirt has been removed, using a bucket of water mixed with a mild detergent, gently scrub the hammock. Be careful not to damage any of the fibers, as this will make the hammock weak.

4. Turn the hammock over and repeat the procedure, inspecting the rope while you are cleaning the hammock.

5. Rinse the detergent from the hammock with clean water, and

6. Hang the hammock to dry in a sunny area. Drying the hammock is the most important thing you can do to ensure your hammock will last for years to come.

7. After the hammock is dry, fold the hammock and place it into a storage bag and seal the bag, or hang from a dry, out of the way place.

Video Rating: 5 / 5

Technorati Tags: Care, Cleaning, Hammocks, Tips