RE: Bought a tree-stand: you must be kidding?
LOL...I'm sorry, but I guess I had to chuckle a bit. That right there...everything you explained...is HUNTING. Sometimes things are easy, but most times they aren't.
My only suggestion for you is to keep at it and you'll figure out ways to make things easier andquicker getting to your desination. But most of all....wear that safety belt. Sure it's a little pain in the arse, but you'd rather be alive to talk about how much you don't like it rather than not.
Good Luck!