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Happy Halloween! 🎃🎂
I find that you can get a selection of outdoors stuff that is useful if you look at destinations near popular outdoor areas. Algonquin Outfitters does pretty well.
International Mountaineering Equipment in North Conway runs schools for learning technical climbing and carries Hillberg tents. They too have a consignment area. Not unexpectedly Mt Washington is a training ground for Everest.
Not at all useful to look at REI near New York City where you run into the uppie stuff.
Also ski and bike swaps in our area.
Freeport gets lots of urban shoppers so understandably the LLBean is more lifestyle oriented than I like. But its got good basic stuff to give people a shove into the outdoors. North Face outlet is thankfully across the street and next to Patagonia outlet which occasionally has useful stuff if you know what you are after.
Mainesport is in the middle of kayak country and tourist country. Tourists like stuffed moose and those are upstairs on the main level and serious shoppers go downstairs to find a wide array of kayak related stuff. Nary a canoe pack though and you will never find a blue barrel.. Anywhere in the US it seems.
So you learn to support small canoe related retailers and craftsmen and discard big box. I have bought stuff from Cabelas.. A GPS on wicked sale and gas canisters... and a canoe cart for the woodies. But for serious tent camping... Ha.!
International Mountaineering Equipment in North Conway runs schools for learning technical climbing and carries Hillberg tents. They too have a consignment area. Not unexpectedly Mt Washington is a training ground for Everest.
Not at all useful to look at REI near New York City where you run into the uppie stuff.
Also ski and bike swaps in our area.
Freeport gets lots of urban shoppers so understandably the LLBean is more lifestyle oriented than I like. But its got good basic stuff to give people a shove into the outdoors. North Face outlet is thankfully across the street and next to Patagonia outlet which occasionally has useful stuff if you know what you are after.
Mainesport is in the middle of kayak country and tourist country. Tourists like stuffed moose and those are upstairs on the main level and serious shoppers go downstairs to find a wide array of kayak related stuff. Nary a canoe pack though and you will never find a blue barrel.. Anywhere in the US it seems.
So you learn to support small canoe related retailers and craftsmen and discard big box. I have bought stuff from Cabelas.. A GPS on wicked sale and gas canisters... and a canoe cart for the woodies. But for serious tent camping... Ha.!
Cabela's in Winnipeg used to be a great store to shop at. They had everything for camping, fishing, boating/canoeing. Helpful staff who knew what they were talking about. Then... they moved into a new Bass Pro themed store and became primarily a gun shop and clothing store. Need Canada Goose coats for $700 and up? Go to Cabela's. Everything is expensive and camping/fishing selection is minimal. We no longer bother even going into that store.
Wilderness Supply I go to first, but they too are moving to more clothing and honestly, they sell more kayaks than canoes. They still rent canoes though which is good and generally sell of the rental fleet every Autumn.
Wilderness Supply I go to first, but they too are moving to more clothing and honestly, they sell more kayaks than canoes. They still rent canoes though which is good and generally sell of the rental fleet every Autumn.
I used to work in Peterborough, NH and after researching options for gear I would go to EMS to get a hands on some of it, then back to the internet for pricing.
My rant is so many of the local great outdoor stores have closed. We have a couple Bike/Ski shops in the Greenfield, MA area, but if you want canoe equipment it's a haul and all the box sports store have cheap canoe gear or just kayaks.
My rant is so many of the local great outdoor stores have closed. We have a couple Bike/Ski shops in the Greenfield, MA area, but if you want canoe equipment it's a haul and all the box sports store have cheap canoe gear or just kayaks.
I think that is a major reason that stores are closing or carry only goods that people commonly use everyday.. I try not to go to a store with no intention of buying.. Thats just cutting off your own supply...you did it.. Not they.
When you all do your trip report of the marshall lake trip make sure there are plenty of pics of Mem in his third nipple shirt. It will fit in nicely if we ever put together a Canoetripping calendar.
Alan, there's hope that you could fill out those long/tall shirts. Try drinking more Bud lite. I have a sneaking suspicion that it makes your wallet lighter and not your body. Or maybe the can is lighter. Anyway, I finally figured out how you get so much done. If I had your long arms I could work from my easy chair, or bed for that matter.
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There are some really good REI locations. The one is Tucson AZ is excellent. Unfortunately that is a 2300 mile drive. The one 30 minutes away from me might as well be a GAP or Old Navy with a couple of tents and sleeping bags.
And there are some good independent outdoors stores. Some of the best are in high-visitor areas, but buying gear in Old Forge or Moab tends towards the ca-ching. I’ll stop and have a look, and hope I don’t need anything.
yellowcanoe I picked up two 60 liter blue barrels the other day for $30 a piece. Look for a chemical packaging company in your area. They buy bulk chemicals and repack for smaller sales. They usually have some extra barrels lying around.
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Aaahh, I remember the good old days, when our backcountry diaper bag was all canvas and leather. Just kidding of course.
This rant hits so many bulls-eyes with me. One of our daughters is a real yummy mummy yuppie. She likely fits the demographic of the hip and moneyed slim and fit jet set the retailers are chasing...and catching...and cashing in on. The retailers would starve if they had to rely on my spending habits. I not only spend thriftily, but hardly ever spend at all. I shop for clothes in the Thrift type stores for canoe tripping, and also for every day life. Why spend $50 for a shirt when I can spend $5? I laugh whenever I hear the word "lifestyle". It 's nearly impossible to categorize people and their living choices, but it's always worth the effort for designers/manufacturers/retailers to pigeonhole the consumer into a defined demographic. How much do you earn? Do you own your own home? Do you have a University degree? Do you wear pointy toed shoes? Can we have your postal code? And your credit card #?
I'm not much bothered by the direction stores are taking. I hear that internet shopping is the future, bricks and mortar stores the past. I'll just continue to live in the past as best I can. I never did feel comfortable in stores of any kind; I've never been part of any fashion trend, part of any clique crowd. Like it or not, we're all consumers to some degree. The outdoor gear stores are just following the money. They're just not gonna follow mine. I still shop at MEC once in awhile. I'll keep an eye on other suppliers whenever I can find them.
This rant hits so many bulls-eyes with me. One of our daughters is a real yummy mummy yuppie. She likely fits the demographic of the hip and moneyed slim and fit jet set the retailers are chasing...and catching...and cashing in on. The retailers would starve if they had to rely on my spending habits. I not only spend thriftily, but hardly ever spend at all. I shop for clothes in the Thrift type stores for canoe tripping, and also for every day life. Why spend $50 for a shirt when I can spend $5? I laugh whenever I hear the word "lifestyle". It 's nearly impossible to categorize people and their living choices, but it's always worth the effort for designers/manufacturers/retailers to pigeonhole the consumer into a defined demographic. How much do you earn? Do you own your own home? Do you have a University degree? Do you wear pointy toed shoes? Can we have your postal code? And your credit card #?
I'm not much bothered by the direction stores are taking. I hear that internet shopping is the future, bricks and mortar stores the past. I'll just continue to live in the past as best I can. I never did feel comfortable in stores of any kind; I've never been part of any fashion trend, part of any clique crowd. Like it or not, we're all consumers to some degree. The outdoor gear stores are just following the money. They're just not gonna follow mine. I still shop at MEC once in awhile. I'll keep an eye on other suppliers whenever I can find them.
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Ours as I recall was a small dry bag for the diapers, wipes and etc, and a screwtop bucket lined with a plastic bag for the waste. The first trip on which my youngest no longer needed diapers is right up there with the first trip on which we all paddled solo boats.
I don’t especially like most retail stores, the exceptions being the local country store, an outfitter shop and an independent hardware, where the staff know my name and I know theirs.
I don’t shop. I buy, usually waiting until I have accumulated a list, so as not to have to go too often.
Grocery stores are my least favorite environment, or at least tied with the heck of BigBox shopping, and I do the weekly grocery shopping at 6am midweek. Even then it is the quintessential example of people’s complete lack of situational awareness.
Welllll, dumdedum, I’ll just park my cart here diagonally and stand beside it blocking an entire isle. In an amazing feat I somehow don’t even see the large man 3 feet way with the cart, staring at me with arched eyebrow and slowly shaking his head.
dang, I am in a ranty mood.
"I don't shop. I buy..." I'm stabbing the imaginary LIKE button here on my table.
"...people's complete lack of situational awareness." I'd stab that danged LIKE button if I wasn't laughing so hard.
The dazed and confused fogginess that envelopes people while they're shopping starts not in the aisles, but in the freak'n park'n lot. A double wide asphalt landing/meandering strip ain't big enough for some. While I sit at the wheel doing my best "WTF!?" expression with my face, the other lackadaisical fruitloop opposite me at the wheel is glaring at me with their "this is MY parking lot" look. My vehicle is edged over on the right side, while their behemoth- mobile commands central position in the laneway. The stand-off ends when I make a slow grab for the door handle to suggest I'm giving up and parking HERE, and they instead slide by with a hateful stare to remind me who's parking lot it really is. I had the opportunity just yesterday in the grocery aisle to show some patience. An elderly lady had parked her cart cross-ways blocking the aisle. I leaned on mine and waited while she decided "Hmm, salted crackers or salt-free?" I offered my opinion, along with a favourite salty cracker snack recipe. She was startled, bless her heart, and tried to hurry. I sidled up my cart to hers and finished my recipe. "Salted crackers, smeared with butter-REAL butter, another smear of tomato sauce topped with parmesan cheese...under the broiler for a few minutes til lovely bubbly melty messy toasted." She thought about it, and then smiled and continued swerving down the aisle, but not before twittering in a singsong voice "I'll have to ask Herb." Who the heck is Herb? And why isn't HE doing the shopping? Anyway, potential shopping hazardous situation defused-confused and happily done with. I did a U-turn and headed the long way round to the check-out. I still had places to go. Besides, that's the only salted cracker snack recipe I know.
I feel your rant Mike. We're in a spinning world of nutjobs. I might be one of them. I'm just trying to keep on the friendly side of sane...though I'm not entirely sure which side that is.
"...people's complete lack of situational awareness." I'd stab that danged LIKE button if I wasn't laughing so hard.
The dazed and confused fogginess that envelopes people while they're shopping starts not in the aisles, but in the freak'n park'n lot. A double wide asphalt landing/meandering strip ain't big enough for some. While I sit at the wheel doing my best "WTF!?" expression with my face, the other lackadaisical fruitloop opposite me at the wheel is glaring at me with their "this is MY parking lot" look. My vehicle is edged over on the right side, while their behemoth- mobile commands central position in the laneway. The stand-off ends when I make a slow grab for the door handle to suggest I'm giving up and parking HERE, and they instead slide by with a hateful stare to remind me who's parking lot it really is. I had the opportunity just yesterday in the grocery aisle to show some patience. An elderly lady had parked her cart cross-ways blocking the aisle. I leaned on mine and waited while she decided "Hmm, salted crackers or salt-free?" I offered my opinion, along with a favourite salty cracker snack recipe. She was startled, bless her heart, and tried to hurry. I sidled up my cart to hers and finished my recipe. "Salted crackers, smeared with butter-REAL butter, another smear of tomato sauce topped with parmesan cheese...under the broiler for a few minutes til lovely bubbly melty messy toasted." She thought about it, and then smiled and continued swerving down the aisle, but not before twittering in a singsong voice "I'll have to ask Herb." Who the heck is Herb? And why isn't HE doing the shopping? Anyway, potential shopping hazardous situation defused-confused and happily done with. I did a U-turn and headed the long way round to the check-out. I still had places to go. Besides, that's the only salted cracker snack recipe I know.
I feel your rant Mike. We're in a spinning world of nutjobs. I might be one of them. I'm just trying to keep on the friendly side of sane...though I'm not entirely sure which side that is.
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Rants... worst drivers in the world live in Manitoba.
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I admit that much of my defensive driving time is spent making that face and muttering commentary as I keep my distance fore and aft of nutjobs on the road.
Especially aft; I can keep my distance from the stuff ahead, but a lot of the crazier stuff is cutting lanes and racing up from behind.
I dunno, there is a lot of competition. Chicago. Boston. The Baltimore/Washington corridor. OK, dang near anything between Boston and Richmond
I am pretty sure though that the world’s worst tailgaters hail from southern Pennsylvania. And I find tailgating intolerable.
Ah geeze, tailgaters, we have the worst ones up here on the 1100 kilometer stretch of highway known as the #11, infamous for its lack of passing opportunities. It is a tailgater's paradise, one will often see ten or more travelling in a pack, all around three feet from each other.
I have been working on a new strap system for my Old Town Disco. It involves a quick release button that would launch the polyethelene missle off my truck racks straight back at the offending tailgater. Because it's a disco, I know that I would be able to re-use it for taking out tailgaters several times, and still be able to paddle it. Plus, at 87 pounds, it packs a punch. Those flyweight fancy pants canoes would probably catch a draft and sail right over the tailgaters and take out a family of ducks or sumpin.
I have been working on a new strap system for my Old Town Disco. It involves a quick release button that would launch the polyethelene missle off my truck racks straight back at the offending tailgater. Because it's a disco, I know that I would be able to re-use it for taking out tailgaters several times, and still be able to paddle it. Plus, at 87 pounds, it packs a punch. Those flyweight fancy pants canoes would probably catch a draft and sail right over the tailgaters and take out a family of ducks or sumpin.
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When I had vehicles with sunroofs I seriously considered some kind of spring loaded launcher mounted on the center console that I could just thumb down and shoot out through the roof. Ball bearings seemed appropriate to express my feelings when all I can see in the rearview is the looming windshield of some nutjob inches off my bumper, but paintgun pellets would have been less deadly.
Best I can do currently is to hold down the windshield washer button. They usually get the hint and opt move on by before the reservoir is empty. Washer fluid is cheap, and if I had a rear squirter I might aim it backwards.
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Well dang, I helped rant that way off topic.
Back to retail outdoors establishments. If you have a favorite brick and mortar store for outdoor gear or clothing to recommend please do.
I travel enough that stopping to check out a recommended business is better than seeing the World’s Largest Ball of String or a Two Headed Chicken.
Kim, I’ll make note of those you mentioned.
Back to retail outdoors establishments. If you have a favorite brick and mortar store for outdoor gear or clothing to recommend please do.
I travel enough that stopping to check out a recommended business is better than seeing the World’s Largest Ball of String or a Two Headed Chicken.
Kim, I’ll make note of those you mentioned.
No need for a blue barrel. Made by Recreational Barrel Works in Canada. Only have seen it there. Mine after 25 years finally went out of round and got hard to close. Went to Trailhead in Ottawa and got another
I decry the loss of the York Box. A waterproof plastic (heavy) wanigan that LL Bean used to have
Campmor in Paramus NJ right outside of NYC has one of the lousiest selection of trendy clothing and one of the best selections of outdoor gear and fixit parts I have ever seen
I decry the loss of the York Box. A waterproof plastic (heavy) wanigan that LL Bean used to have
Campmor in Paramus NJ right outside of NYC has one of the lousiest selection of trendy clothing and one of the best selections of outdoor gear and fixit parts I have ever seen
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Midwest Moutaineering in Minneapolis is my favorite. I've made that 6 hour round trip twice in the last 3 weeks to get supplies for an upcoming trip from them and REI. Bought quite a bit at MM and some from REI as well but it's nice to have them both available. I also verified they stock 30 and 60 liter barrels since when it comes time to pack my food I don't know if it will all fit in a 60 or not. If not I'll stop in Minneapolis on the way north for a 30L barrel and CCS barrel pack. They're fully stocked on CCS gear, which they should be considering Dan is local.
Nice selection of canoes and canoe packs, both traditional and petroleum packs. Lots of Wenonah and Bell canoes in stock with plenty of high end sea kayaks and whitewater kayaks too.
"Thrifty Outfitters" is upstairs with racks of demo, display, and last year's merchandise at big discounts. They also do gear and equipment repairs in house.
When I was there yesterday I found a waterproof hard shell jacket in Thrifty Outfitters I liked but couldn't pull the trigger not knowing anything about the jacket other than how it fit. Did some research when I got home, was happy with what I saw, and called them this morning. They found the jacket on the rack, took my credit card over the phone, and will ship it out Monday.
Plus they're dog friendly with a couple water bowls for visiting pooches. Sadie comes in with me when we need to try on dog booties for desert trips or life jackets for this upcoming trip.
Every spring and fall they have a huge expo on site. The spring expo is geared heavily towards paddling with a large auction of used boats. You bring in whatever you want to sell and they auction it off. Fun to attend with an interesting mix of boats.
Lots of climbing gear as well. The entire basement is set up for climbing and, as far as I know, it's still free to use, including shoe rental.
Alan
Nice selection of canoes and canoe packs, both traditional and petroleum packs. Lots of Wenonah and Bell canoes in stock with plenty of high end sea kayaks and whitewater kayaks too.
"Thrifty Outfitters" is upstairs with racks of demo, display, and last year's merchandise at big discounts. They also do gear and equipment repairs in house.
When I was there yesterday I found a waterproof hard shell jacket in Thrifty Outfitters I liked but couldn't pull the trigger not knowing anything about the jacket other than how it fit. Did some research when I got home, was happy with what I saw, and called them this morning. They found the jacket on the rack, took my credit card over the phone, and will ship it out Monday.
Plus they're dog friendly with a couple water bowls for visiting pooches. Sadie comes in with me when we need to try on dog booties for desert trips or life jackets for this upcoming trip.
Every spring and fall they have a huge expo on site. The spring expo is geared heavily towards paddling with a large auction of used boats. You bring in whatever you want to sell and they auction it off. Fun to attend with an interesting mix of boats.
Lots of climbing gear as well. The entire basement is set up for climbing and, as far as I know, it's still free to use, including shoe rental.
Alan
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NRS sells a heavy duty York box: http://www.nrs.com/product/3058/nrs-...amping-dry-box. Bean carries them too. But, it would be a long drive to Idaho or Maine to purchase at the brick and mortar locations.
I guess that I am OK with some paddling retailers focusing on selling Patagucci etc. at crazy margins to the posers, because doing so keeps them in business and otherwise keeps their costs down. On the other hand, it sure does detract from the utility of going to the stores in person, and there is always the risk of the Eddie Bauer take-over effect.
I guess that I am OK with some paddling retailers focusing on selling Patagucci etc. at crazy margins to the posers, because doing so keeps them in business and otherwise keeps their costs down. On the other hand, it sure does detract from the utility of going to the stores in person, and there is always the risk of the Eddie Bauer take-over effect.
