Thursday, February 25, 2010

REI . . . You're My Hero

And I actually should add the BLM but then I thought that would be so many letters in the title that nobody would understand what I was trying to say.

So the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) gets a round of applause as well because last weekend they sponsored a Winter Trails Day at the Campbell Creek Science Center where anyone and everyone could flock to the beautiful, scenic snowy playground and spend the day having fun in the great Alaskan wilderness. Right there in the city.

And it was a first-class production. REI had brought all their winter equipment and offered it free of charge so you could finally see what it feels like to snow shoe or ski or ride one of those giant-bubble-tire-bikes. I've always wondered how it is to ride a bike with winter tires.

Not only could you try out the equipment for free--yes FREE--but they had food and booths set up for all sorts of great information such as avalanche safety. But the thing that had us in love was how they had free outdoor winter safety packets you could put together. Each person could take home a fanny pack (and don't let me catch you wearing it unless you are actually outdoors and doing something rugged because it's not a fashion piece people) complete with all the gear you see above. Hats, water bottles, space blankets, hand warmers, flashing beacons, maps, equipment checklists, power bars, lip balm, first aid kids and Leathermans.

Yes, you read that right. A Leatherman. No Alaskan is complete without one and I love it that each of my kids now has a winter safety pack for taking when we go out on one of our excursions. I love you REI. And the BLM too.

As for other cool outdoor stuff, I've found a few links you might find helpful for enjoying that winter weather. Should you happen to have any in your neck of the woods.

How to build an outdoor private skating rink
How to make a sled out of a wooden palette

And for indoor fun:

The great new Lego board games--build your own!
How to make scented gel paints

18 comments:

Hannah said...

love love love REI.

Serena said...

I already loved REI, and now they've gone up a whole buncha notches in my opinion!

Not From Lapland said...

i love the idea of these little survival kits.

Stephanie said...

I love free add it to fun and you have a real winner. I look forward to more posts of your family enjoying the great outdoors with their new tools.

Raejean said...

How cool for you folks up in Alaska. As much as the kids would love it, I don't think building my own ice rink would work here in Arizona :)

Michelle (The Beartwinsmom) said...

Lego board games? I'm SO checking that link out.

As for REI? They totally rock. I still have my REI fleece jacket from 1996 and it still looks like brand new. Quality stuff.

Christine said...

Ahhh, my boys are Legomaniacs right now...must check that out.

And how much fun was that with REI! Cool, cool, cool!

Amateur Steph said...

I also am such a fan of REI. Your posts make me wish I lived in Alaska.

Lori said...

What's a leatherman? I'm off to google, because all I can think of is that George Clooney football movie.

Janelle said...

They gave away free Leathermans? Those are expensive! My husband grew up in Maine, so we're partial to LL Bean, but they never gave us free Leathermans.

Amelia said...

hey there, thanks for the visit! Great to see what others are up to so far away in different places on this globe!

Amelia.x

jean said...

Wow. Way to go REI. My husband swears by their stuff and every so often I get to "borrow" it. It just shows you how much he loves it, I mean me.

The Texas Bakers said...

Wow! REI Alaska is particularly cool, but I heart REI in general, as well. Wish I was there to get my kit!

Daisy said...

They were giving away Leatherman tools? Wow! What a great event by a great company.

Chrissy Johnson said...

OOOO and I missed this! Gary lost his leatherman a year, got another one, and lost it, too. Drat!

Amy said...

thanks for the great links. I for sure want to make those gel paints!

Stephanie said...

What a fun event! I so wish that there was an REI in my city.

I'm impressed that a Leatherman was included in that complimentary pack - and the rest of the contents look pretty useful too.

stephanie@metropolitanmama.net

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