This contest is now closed. Thanks to all of you who left comments! The winners will be posted shortly. Have you already left a comment to enter the drawing for one of two $250 gift cards for REI? If not, read on and write something, anything really, in the comment section below. (If you have already entered, remember just one entry per person — all repeat comments will be ignored.) Christmas Read more

It is no secret that I heart REI. They make and sell great gear. The sales people are extremely knowledgeable. Their online store is great. Plus it is a co-op that you can join, and at the end of the year you receive a dividend check. Well, if you like giving your greenbacks to green stores, REI is the retailer for you. And they continue to get greener! While getting my green on over at Read more

I went hiking this weekend up a trail named Hell's Brook. I learned the name after arriving at the trail head. If I had had that knowledge ahead of time, I would have known to bring along my hiking poles. I'm liking these from REI called Traverse Shock Trekking Poles. They're only $79 for the pair, when others can run you almost $200 for just one. What makes these poles so different? To Read more

Just because you are "roughing it" in the woods with your tent and sleeping bag does NOT mean you must be stuck eating only trail mix. Having a camping stove is a necessity when campground camping. I definitely wouldn't truck this stove around while backpacking, but if you're driving to your campsite, you can pack whatever you want. This Coleman 2-Burner Propane Stove has double burners so Read more

I have a lot of wonderful memories of camping with my family as a kid. There was nothing like the feeling of snuggling into your sleeping bag inside your tent after a night of roasting marshmallows by the campfire. Back then I had this huge, thick sleeping bag made out of flannel and a whole lot of stuffing - it was like a comforter with a zipper. Camping gear has come a long way since then, Read more

If you're new to doing cardio such as biking or running, and you want to know if you are working at the right intensity for your body, using a heart rate monitor is a great idea. Whether you are doing cardio to lose weight, for fun, or to build your endurance for competitions, a heart rate monitor will give you an accurate readout of how hard your heart is working. Shopping for a heart rate Read more

I love exercising in the Spring, and even though it's warmer than it was a month ago, you still need to wear some kind of layer to keep you warm. You don't necessarily need a big long-sleeved jacket, so this is the perfect time of year to sport a vest. Check out this one from Salomon. It's made out of "ActiLite," a fabric that is abrasion resistant, moisture wicking, and breathable. When Read more