Rope Hammocks Short Story

Here's an important thing to know about hammocks: they are not all created equal. The classic image of a relaxing summer day spent with cool lemonade in hand, gently swaying all your cares away on your hammock, quickly goes away if you aren't in the right one. I know everyone thinks that a classic rope hammock is the way to go, but I have discovered that there's a better way.

In 1999 I spent my summer traveling on the Oregon coast for six weeks. I had my family with me, and we just stayed at State campgrounds in a little pop-up trailer. One afternoon we pulled into a camp and set up our ordinary arrangements. We got all the food bins organized, placed the lawn chairs around the fire pit, and hung one of our hammocks up between a couple of trees. My youngest son was one at the time and he and I got on the hammock together. We rocked and swayed and generally enjoyed ourselves watching as the other kids fed a happy little squirrel some bread bits. Then, suddenly, we learned a funny thing about rope hammocks, that don't hold up very well. Boom! In an instant, my son and I found ourselves slammed down to the ground as the rope gave way.

The one I was using that day in Oregon was not as hefty and strong as others. Had I been using a thicker rope hammock, I would have saved myself a bruised behind. But, I wouldn't have given my wife the comic relief she enjoyed that day