How to Connect With Nature for Less Than 20 Bucks

I love it when my kids get presents that I can enjoy, too. Usually, they are in the form of electronics like an Oculus Quest or an Xbox. It happened yesterday with a gift from my sister-in-law, but this time it was very different. There were no batteries to charge or controllers to lose. She bought them what might be the gift of the summer: a hammock from Pawley's Island Hammocks.

My sister-in-law bought one for each of my kids but also bought a bonus one so they could each lounge with a friend. They are made of parachute material that can support up to 400 pounds. The hammocks don't come with a stand.  They are the type that get fastened between two trees. If there's one thing we have plenty of in our backyard, it is trees. Each hammock is equipped with sturdy straps that easily attach to a tree. By the end of the afternoon, after the kids had moved on to another activity, I moved in for the kill.

I slinked into one of the hammocks and sunk in. The stresses of the day melted away and I slowly swung back and forth. The hammocks resemble cocoons when someone is in one. When inside, you feel nestled.

Considering the fact that I wake up each morning at 3:30 a.m., napping is one of my favorite pastimes. It's actually more than a hobby; I've gone semi-pro. To have the option of napping in the outdoors, getting fresh air while hearing the soft chirping of birds and the sway of the leaves in the wind. I'm telling you, it's unmatched. This is the best $20 you can spend to get back in touch with nature.

I guess I'm not the only one who feels like this, because there is a warning that their orders may take up to 16 weeks to process, which is a little ridiculous, considering that we'll be picking out Halloween costumes 16 weeks from now.

I took the liberty of looking for a similar product offered on Amazon. They are priced slightly higher, but certainly still worth the money. Paying an extra ten bucks to be able to get it in time for this weekend is the way to go.