A hammock is pretty much a metaphor for relaxation. String it under a tree or in a gazebo; set it up on your deck, or next to your pool. Now climb in, perhaps with a book and a cold beverage. What else can you do but relax? Hammocks come in two basic materials. The original version was made of netted fiber, and they are still available, though in smoother, less-itchy fibers. They are generally divided into rope hammocks, which have spreaders or staves, and string or Mayan hammocks. The latter are woven of smaller fibers which are more closely spaced and are usually considered more comfortable. Some designs have more than a mile of string woven into them! Others are made of a solid material, often canvas or some variety of polyester fabric. A hammock can have two-point or four-point suspension. The solid ones are usually more comfortable with four points. If you're taking your hammock on a camping trip, the string ones are usually the lightest and most compact. The traditional hammock was strung between two trees for outdoor use, or between two walls of a cabin on ships. You can enjoy a hammock, though, even if you don't have anything to tie it to. Many hammocks come with frames, either wood or metal, so they can be set up anywhere. They can be just wide enough for one person, or made to accommodate the whole family and the dog. Happy hammocking!
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