About Rob6

Hi @leighton and @matt2001 ! Didn't want you 2 to feel all alone. I am also an avid off-roader. I've had a 4WD vehicle of one sort or another since I first got my driver's license. '74 Jeep Cherokee with 360 V8; '78 Dodge Power Wagon with 360 V8; '87, '97, 2000 Jeep Cherokees; '93 Jeep Wrangler; and my current 1998 Jeep Wrangler Sahara. All have had some sort of modifications, and all has been done by myself. I've participated in several Camp Jeep and Jeep Jamboree events over the years, as well as local off-roading. Unfortunately, Where I live in Maryland, the off-roading and overlanding options are severely limited. Wish I was a little further north so I could join you guys on an overlanding trip! Tread Lightly!

Hi @r_cox and welcome! I'm from Maryland, near the Mason Dixon line, and, while there's not any significant backcountry areas around here, there are some very scenic and challenging hikes along the Susquehanna River, on both east and west banks, and in PA and MD, including the Mason Dixon Trail system and the Conestoga Trail system. There are also a lot of fantastic state parks, such as Greenwood Furnace State Park near State College, PA. And north of that is Susquehannock State Park. Near Gettysburg is the Michaux State Forest. Not certain if any of those are close enough to what part of central PA you hail from, but wanted to give you lots of options. Feel free to hit me up if you want some more info, or if you are looking for folks to join on a hike.

I'm right there with you @Dad_Aint_Hip ! Budget has a lot to do with my purchases too. That's why I periodically stop at my local REI and check out their "Garage" section, and also peruse the "Good & Used" site. I've found some great bargains at both. Sometimes the timing isn't great, like, finding a great down jacket (Outdoor Research Illuminate hoodie) in July, but the savings are well worth it! It's fantastic that your daughter wants to join you. I got my kids into outdoor activities at a young age, and now that they are adults, they still join me and my group of friends on hikes, bike rides, and now my daughter is expanding my horizons by getting me interested in "formal" bouldering. The circle of life...

Ummmm @Dad_Aint_Hip ....why limit yourself? Why not a tent AND a hammock? It may be too much weight to want both for a backpacking adventure, but it's great for car-camping (and fishing weekends)!! 😁 I know. I am a terrible person.

Well, once again I am not asking a question of an REI employee, but this seems the most appropriate board. I just had my first experience with Virtual Outfitting, and I was quite impressed! My local REI is about a half-hour drive from my house, so it's no problem to go there when I need to, so I've never really thought I had a need for the virtual assistant. I went into my local store to try on a Salomon boot before I made up my mind about getting it. Unfortunately, they did not have what I was looking for in a size that fit me. I hate ordering shoes online because there are so many variables and have shoes that run a full 2 size difference that fit me. So, I scheduled a virtual appointment. The scheduling was easy, and asked for specific information so the Green Vest would be prepared. I was pleasantly surprised to get an appointment only an hour later in the day; I was called exactly on time; the person assisting me, Stefan, was pleasant, friendly and knowledgeable. The call was scheduled for 45 minutes, but we were able to figure everything out within about 20 minutes, even including my going off-track onto another topic (normal for me). And, I got a follow up email with a synopsis of the call and links to the products we discussed. All-in-all a really good experience. I'd like to extend my thanks, and kudos to Stefan, and hopefully the REI staff will pass this along to the appropriate parties. To anyone struggling with a size or gear selection, I can say this is definitely a worthwhile service.

Much like @Dad_Aint_Hip mentioned, aside from the major trail systems, in my neck of the woods there are a lot of local conservancy groups that are always on the lookout for volunteers for trail maintenance and such. They frequently have fund-raisers and trail maintenance days. Even throughout the pandemic. Social distancing requirements remain in effect, so groups are smaller, activities less frequent, and of course mask-wearing, but they are still social, a lot of fun, good exercise, and beneficial to your community. Here locally, there have been rail-trail events for walking/hiking and biking, kayaking events, trail cleanups, teaching/learning seminars on things like geology, wildlife, eco-systems, astronomy...the list goes on. Search for Land Conservancy in your local area. On a more "sporty" side of things, I am a big fan of disc golf. Inexpensive, doesn't require a great deal of skill to get started, and I can log 2 miles through fields and woods at the courses near to me. Good luck, and have fun. Don't let the Zoom burnout get to you!

Awesome pics @Philreedshikes ! Your wife must be a very special woman to put up with you and your hijinks! 😁 While I have not done any via ferratas, just from a pragmatic aspect, I always keep a pair of gloves in my pack, even for my day hikes. One never knows what I might get into. Except for the cold winter months, I'm partial to fingerless gloves, and would think that belaying or climbing gloves would be ideal to have, if only for peace of mind. Something like this perhaps: https://www.rei.com/product/129967/metolius-half-finger-climbing-gloves Good luck!

Hey @REI-JohnJ ! My hat's off to you for introducing your daughter to the Ministry of Silly Walks! And how awesome for her to want to work there! Sounds like you are well on the way to winning at fatherhood! I introduced my kids at an early age and they are now lifetime fans. I'm still very disappointed in @REI-CarterC . Perhaps you need to provide some coaching. And, @johnt , sorry to hear about your knee and being stuck at home. And now for something completely different... Back to the subject topic: Here in Maryland, we had highs near 50F yesterday (Fat Tuesday) during the day, then dropped to the low 20's, so the remaining snow started melting then refroze into nearly solid ice. And the storm that hit Texas is headed our way. About 6" of snow expected, possibly followed by a changeover to freezing rain to as it exits the area. That should make local trail conditions ... interesting, to say the least.

Hi @Cdawley4 . I have no information on the Dark Sky app, but depending upon where you are located, or where you are traveling, it may be worthwhile to look into the local news station to see if they have something free available. I live in Maryland, and the local Fox affiliate has a rather robust app that provides current conditions, daily & hourly forecasts, as well as a fully functional radar and even a link to the most recent broadcast weather report...all without annoying ads. I have found it to be reliable and accurate. However, to my knowledge, it only works within its home area, not nationally, so it does have its limitations. Good luck!

AMEN @Wanderer ! And thank you for using the term honorific. I had actually planned on using that same exact term, but became distracted while I was writing. And, I too cannot get the URL linking to work. Now I know it's not a user error on my part.

What do you mean? An African or European swallow?

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Member Since	‎07-10-2019 11:31 AM
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Re: Jeepers and Overlanders

Re: Hello from Pennsylvania!

Re: I, Too, Had an Awesome Experience with REI's V...

Re: I, Too, Had an Awesome Experience with REI's V...

Virtual Outfitting experience

Re: high school zoom burnout

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Re: Polar Vortex! What's it like where you are?

Re: Seeking information on the Dark Sky Weather ap...

Re: Referring to female customers as Ma’am

Re: Polar Vortex! What's it like where you are?