Hi Andy -
I don't have any direct experience going off the ground other than testing out my son's Hennessy many years ago, but I do look at getting off-ground from time to time.  The haventents look like a pretty good option, although they seem a bit heavy to me.  I keep getting intrigued by the Opeongo A-1. That is still a little heavier than my solo tent, but not by too much if memory serves.  It is a bit pricier, however.  Maybe discussion regarding off-ground tents would be a good thread to start, there have been some new entries since the last time this was a discussion point on the forum.  

Just got back.  It was cold and windy where I was today, so bugs weren't in evidence today, but the two days prior they were, when the temperature was favorable and the wind was fairly light.  They weren't too numerous or hostile, but a nice couple of consecutive days and they'll be all ready for some tasty people to come along.

Now that Ice Out has taken place, there's a limited period of time before Bug In occurs.  I've got a trip 5/3 - 5/6.  In most years that's prior to flying demon season, but Ice Out was pretty early this year, and I'm wondering about an early Bug In.

I can't get a feel for what the sustained temperatures have been like.  I think we are just getting to daytime temps that would awaken the swarming giant but the nights absolutely not.

Trying to decide if I bring the nobugzone because uh-oh, or maybe just carry the bugshirt because pesky times ahead, or just the bug hat because they look so cool.

Looks like the north end of Islet to me....but that's not anywhere near Raven, so.....

I really like my Petzl E-Lite.  Small, fits into a little plastic egg, I carry it in a zippered pants pocket all day.  Weighs nothing, has been reliable for me. (I did have one that started getting intermittent after I beat it up enough, so I replaced it).  It only provides 50 lumens, but I don't need to illuminate the entire outdoors like a prison yard.  It has a lever switch - dim, bright, strobe, red, something else I can't remember, but all I ever use is "bright", and it has an "emergency whistle" on the cord, which is comically useless.  I hang it in the tent and it lights up what I need.  It is easy to carry two if you want redundancy.

The only downside I have with it is I wear a broadbrimmed hat, and the brim of the hat interferes with the light beam.  I think that would happen with a lot of headband-style lamps.  Not problematic enough for me to want to change, I use it every trip.

I feel like the sun is in the wrong position for this, but Wenona?

I looked to me like you chose to enjoy lunch at an upscale restaurant and your server just dropped off an incredible appetizer tray.

When the needles fall it will be like the jelly of the month club.  "Clark, that's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year long."

Probably not the photo you we're thinking of given my subject name, but the faithful, loyal, and ever ready nova craft pal serves its annual yuletide purpose of holding up the christmas tree in a bucket of water while we prep the family room for the tree. 

And not for nothing, but this tree is soooooo much bigger than we thought it was.  I usually take a tape measure but thought I would eyeball it this year.  Well done......