Over the last week, I’ve taken on a new hobby – shopping for hiking and camping gear. I’m going with a 8 other folks on a hiking trip over Labor Day weekend. Until today I hadn’t really picked much of anything up, with the exception of a couple random things from Steep and Cheap (be warned: it’s addictive). This morning, I took a trip with Mark and Katie to this far away place… Maryland. I hadn’t been outside the beltway since lord knows when.

Did you know that function and attractiveness are mutually exclusive when it comes to this stuff? I came home the owner of a new pair of hiking boots, 3 pairs of shorts and a pair of capri pants. Ok, so the clothes are ok, but hiking boots – shoot me. Can someone please tell me how I can turn a pair of hiking boots and hiking shorts into something half way feminine? Please!!! Thank god the people I’m going camping with know me and my affection for the opposite sex. Interestingly, I’m also now a member at REI.

I don’t really get it though – the prices in the store are about 1/3 more than they are online – for the exact same things! Thankfully, I’d done my research before heading out to MD. After two hours of searching online, I’m now also the proud owner of my own Kelty sleeping bag, a new 55+10L Lowe Alpine backpack, some socks (to go with my ugly hiking boots) and a platypus. Now if I can just figure out how to get these things home from the office when they are delivered.