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Archive for 'April 2012'

What's the Best Idea for an Urban Adventure You've Come Up with Lately?

Today's helpful outdoor reminder: An idea for an urban adventure is likely floating around in your imagination right this minute. I've become a fan of unconventional rambles—functional walks over long distances usually resigned to motorized travel. This is largely due to my personal conviction that walking is a gateway nondrug to better health, friendlier communities and healthier brains. That and I enjoy seeing eyes of nonhikers bug when our paths cross and I tell them I'm walking to a Point B ...

Posted by T.D. Wood on April 30, 2012 11:30 PM & Tagged Craig Ferguson and urban adventure | permalink | Comments



Free Entry to National Parks This Weekend; What's Your Fave Park's Facebook Status?

Reminder: No entrance fees will be collected at any national park this weekend as National Park Week (April 21-29) wraps up. When pondering or planning a national park visit, do you use Facebook as a reference tool? The National Park Service is increasing the amount of attention it places on social media platforms, and Facebook is one area of recent emphasis. NPS spokeswoman Kathy Kupper says the National Park Service office in Washington, D.C., issued official social media guidelines a few ...

Posted by T.D. Wood on April 27, 2012 8:40 PM & Tagged facebook, national parks, social media and twitter | permalink | Comments



DriDown Bags Debut at REI; Sierra Designs Lab Director Explains Water-Repellent Down

Science, it appears, has hatched a way to make goose down, the most prized insulator in outdoor gear, resistant to its greatest nemesis—moisture. Sierra Designs is the first gear-maker to bring water-resistant down in sleeping bags to market. Its first collection arrives in June: 3 men's Zissou bags, rated 6°F (3 lbs. 1 oz., regular length, as are the other men's weights shown here), 18°F (2 lbs. 11 oz.) and 27°F (2 lbs. 1 oz.), and 2 women's Eleanor bags, rated 19°F (3 lbs.) and 29°F (2 lbs. 9 ...

Posted by T.D. Wood on April 27, 2012 12:59 PM & Tagged DriDown, Sierra Designs, down, goose down and sleeping bags | permalink | Comments



100,000 People Riding Bikes Together in L.A.? Believe It

If car-centric Los Angeles can put on an event like CicLAvia, can the rest of the USA be far behind? As a recent transplant to Southern California, I've marveled about how few people seem to ride bicycles here despite the usually wonderful weather. Lots of cars; few bikes.   Until yesterday, that is. CicLAvia, named after ciclovia (the Spanish word for bike path) and given an L.A. twist, opened 10 miles of roadways for car-free biking, skating and walking. L.A.'s fourth such event since 2010, ...

Posted by Steve T on April 25, 2012 7:17 PM & Tagged CicLAvia, Cycling, Los Angeles and bicycle | permalink | Comments



Can a Stewardship Report Change the World?

You can call me an eternal optimist if you would like, but I truly believe that a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report can change the world. I know because, as REI's CSR director, I have seen the evidence by way of the REI Stewardship Report and the many more corporate reports that are now available from large and small companies around the world.   At REI, our reports over the past 6 years have helped our management team ensure that we are delivering on our core purpose to run a ...

Posted by Kevin H on April 23, 2012 4:24 PM & Tagged Corporate Social Responsibility, rei and stewardship | permalink | Comments