Wow @Joe That's really beautiful!  Thanks for sharing.  Your yard is an inspiration for me and I hope many others!  I hope the birds and bees enjoy ... View more

Thanks @REI-JohnJ .  My board seems to be a few inches shy of 11 ft.  Your comments tell me I'm on the right track.  I'm going to have to get out a play more before I buy though I think.  Paddles seem to be few and far between right now anyway.  I was at a paddling shop yesterday and they said they hadn't seen a paddle shipment in quite a while and what they've been told to expect is way below what they usually sell. ... View more

Thanks @Joe !  Could you show a picture of your front yard?  I'd be interested to see what you've done as I get ready to work on my backyard.  Thanks! ... View more

I expect you will be sharing the tent with someone else which means you should be able to have one of  you carry the poles and stakes and the other the tent body.  If that's the case, the poles and stakes will easily attach to the side of your pack using a water bottle pocket and side straps.  The tent body can then be folded in any configuration needed to get it into the pack.  Even if you end up with the entire tent to carry, you can split it so that the poles are outside and the body inside. As for the sleeping bag, you don't need to put a plastic bag in your backpack which makes it harder to pack.  Once you have your sleeping bag stuffed, just put the stuffed bag inside the plastic bag and wrap that up or get a water proof compression bag.  Sea-to-Summit makes them and REI sells them. As for stuffing your down sleeping bag, I'm assuming you are using a compression bag?  If not, try one out, even if its not the waterproof type.  They really help with getting the size of a down bag down to a manageable size. ... View more

I don't see Black Diamond on your list.  As mentioned above, Black Diamond offers the Free Spirit in a 4 person configuration and chemical free.  I believe it has to be special ordered though. ... View more

Thanks @Joe , I'll check this out. I've been thinking about turning part of my backyard into wildflowers.  Wondering if they have any suggestions for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. ... View more

Was this recorded?  If so, is there a way to view the recording? ... View more

@Former community member, why don't you re-post this to "Ask and REI Employee" and see if you can get a response from REI.  They will probably eventually find it here, but you might get a faster response from that other header. I don't know if you've seen it but there is a take civic action or some sort of name like that section on the REI website.  It's not easy to find and think it should be much more prominent so that we can all participate.  But they are pushing civic participation in getting things done in Washington. I have flown a flag at my house since 9/11.  I've had people ask me how I could fly that flag under the last administration when they knew I detested what was going on.  My response was that the flag doesn't mean I support the government it means I love this country (and I've lived in other so called "free" countries and they are not the same, much more big brother is watching).  I think we, or REI, shouldn't wait until one day of the year to work toward making this country what it can and should be. I think it is a constant and ongoing struggle in which we should all participate every day of the year.  It should be part of our civic duties along with voting in which we all should participate all year long. ... View more

@Dad_Aint_Hip, Please post a picture once you have it made! ... View more

I wouldn't carry a bear can in GA.  Hanging your food should be sufficient.  Just learn the proper way to set up a food hang and get good at throwing a rope over a tree.  We keep a carabiner tied to the end of ours which gives it weight and helps with the set up. But speaking of raccoons, they are smart, not overly afraid of people, and will move coolers from under benches and open all kinds of containers to get your food so don't leave stuff laying around.  Create a good food hang and hang anything with fragrance or food or used in food prep.  The bigger issue with raccoons in GA is rabies.  When I was in Savannah, I had a racoon jump out of a dumpster right into my arms and he scratched me as he ran away.  At that time, an estimated 10% of raccoons in Chatham County carried rabies.  Not sure if that is true for the entire state or where you will be, but don't argue with a raccoon if one gets into your stuff.  The rabies series is not fun. ... View more

I leave mine in the tent vestibule except in scorpion country.  Then they come in.  We were also advised on Isle Royale to bring our boots into the tent as the foxes on the island seem to like running off with footless boots. ... View more