Every month this year, I’m trying something new and documenting how it went. Check out what I’ve done in past months here.
Ah, April. The month where the sun finally appears in New England, usually only for a day or two before it’s shrouded once again in rain and possibly snow.
Despite the weird weather of this “spring,” one Saturday this month was particularly beautiful: the Saturday I drove two and a half hours across the entire state of Massachusetts to join a hike with Women Who Hike.
Founded by Nicole Brown, Women Who Hike (@womenwhohike) is a community for female hikers who want to connect with similar-minded women via social media and getting outside. The group has chapters all over the country, and once I realized I could make the date that had been set for the first Massachusetts hike, I signed up immediately.
I then noticed that the drive would be two and a half hours each way, but that’s the sort of thing I’m willing to do for nature.
It being early spring in Massachusetts, part of our planned trail was closed due to runoff. We switched gears, attempted to make a questionable water crossing, ditched that idea, and ended up hiking an entirely different route instead: the South Taconic Trail.
Despite the delays and change of plans (we ended up hiking ~10 miles rather than the intended 6), the trip was 100% worth it. Bash Bish Falls greeted us with spray and ample photo opportunities, and once we’d moved on from the falls, clear blue skies and a high in the low-60s made for incredible hiking weather.
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My 2nd new thing for this month was also outdoors-themed: attending my first REI Garage Sale.
About every quarter or so, REI stores around the country host what are known as Garage Sales only for REI members (a lifetime membership is $20, so really, you should get one.) These sales are separate from REI’s online outlet store, REI Garage — confusing, I know.
Garage Sales are an opportunity for members to come in and buy “as is” merchandise that has been used and returned to the store, from hiking boots to bike parts to all kinds of outdoor clothing. The merchandise condition usually varies widely, but you can often score some great deals on items that have only been returned for being the wrong size or some other small detail.
A few days before the sale at my local REI, I scoured the internet for information to see what I was getting myself into (this article was helpful.)
Unfortunately, studying up on previous attendees’ tips and tricks to make the most of the sale didn’t prepare me for standing outside in the cold for an hour and a half before 9am on a Saturday. I sucked it up, though, and got my ticket to get into the main part of the sale.
About 30 seconds after the employee handed it to me, I walked away and promptly lost it to the wind. Panic ensued. I treated myself to a donut to ease the stress.
Thankfully, the REI employee who gave me my ticket remembered me when I returned to the store for its opening at 10:00am, and I was able to head downstairs with the other 29 of the first 30 people in line.
The process can vary from store to store, so I would recommend calling your local REI a few days before the sale to see what they’re planning on doing – sometimes the number system is randomized, sometimes there’s no system at all.
Overall, the day was a major success – I got a pair of fleece Patagonia leggings for 50% off, some nice Black Diamond gloves that had barely been worn, and a few other miscellaneous items.
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So, the verdict on these new things: super positive. Keep an eye out for me at a future REI Garage Sale, and check back next month to see what else I try!