Honestly I feel like HW areas are about the right size and have enough aetherytes. We need some traveling...not everything should be teleport walk 5 seconds and you are there.

I gather quite often and while the timed nodes are only 1hr if I prepare I always get there in time. If I miss them sometimes well I wasn't ready to go so I just set the early alert a bit earlier on garland bell to help me out. If you don't know garlandtools then search it. It is a nice gathering website that has alerts/timers for gathering and can help you be ready to head out to them.