Your post about what you're looking forward to this summer made remember something.... I meant to ask you if you shop at Midwest Mountaineering.
If you don't, you should check it out. It's like REI but focused on camping, climbing and water sports. Their stuff is comparable to REI in price and brands and they have an awesome clearance section. They have a big sale going on right now. I signed up for their newsletter and got 3 20% off coupons plus some others for specific items. Let me know if you want me to forward the email to you (or sign up yourself and hopefully you get the email). http://www.midwestmtn.com/. And if you do shop there, you already know this so never mind.

Re: Lauree
Thanks for the heads up! I haven't been there but have wanted to go. They sell a book I need to pick up on the MN Border Route Trail that we're going to try and hike this fall :-)
Off to sign up for their newsletter!
PS Thought of you when I looked through the REI anniversary catalog, the Katahdin water filter I told you about is on sale this week, I think it was something like $20 off :-)
Definitely go! We went tonight and got a bunch of stuff and the employees were really helpful. They have a free punch card - 1 stamp per purchase and 8 stamps get $25 off a purchase! We went to REI tonight too. Talk about shopping overload!
Oh, we ended up with an MSR filter but thanks for the head's up on the Katadyn.
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.