These boots were made for walking…

Nancy Sinatra

Yesterday I bought hiking boots, one of the necessities of the trip. We’ll be walking various terrains (see, I already sound like I know what I’m doing). I spent two hours at REI trying on pretty much every boot on display. TWO HOURS (did I mention that I am an over-analyzer?). I asked the very helpful guys if this was typical. They kindly said “yes,” but I’m not so sure. Many customers came and went while I walked up and down the stairs, the ramp, and the aisles. I finally settled on a pair of Vasques. Only then did the sales guys tell me that if they didn’t work out, I could return them. Grrrr. I probably would have made a decision a whole lot sooner if I had known that.

In addition to the proper foot wear, I also need the proper clothes- lightweight, moisture-wicking, breathable, and easy to pack. I wouldn’t exactly describe myself as the “crunchy granola hiking type of gal,” so I don’t really have a lot of that stuff. Back to the store.

I can’t stand shopping unless I can order it on Amazon. All you really need is Amazon Prime. But I figured I had better check out the stores devoted to hiking stuff before I hit Free Shipping. I don’t frequent stores like REI, EMS, and the Bass Pro Shop. The sales associates’ name tags identify themselves as “Toes” or “Grappling”, so this was an experience now that I had to consider myself a walker/hiker. I will be honest, hiking clothes are pretty boring, monochromatic, simple, and no nonsense. The most daring details are the pockets and the little buckle on the waist band (that will make my shirt pop out right on my stomach which is a big no-no), so now I am on the hunt for the most stylish hiking apparel that I can find.

My friend and neighbor, Annie Kip, is a decorator, stylist, and coach. Her website is www.anniekipstyle.com (check it out.). Her motto is “Make it look the way you want to feel”. I feel like I want to wear my ballerina flats and a cool neck line, but hiking boots, sneakers, flip-flops, and t-shirts will have to do. Hiking is its own million dollar industry, so I will be searching out comparable finds at Sierra, T.J Maxx, and Marshall’s. I think my best bet for climbing the style ladder are scarves. They are colorful, easy to pack, and functional. I could also add a funky earring, but that might be pushing it.

One of the reasons for the trip is to stretch my comfort-zone. Packing for the trip is doing just that. I can’t stand packing. I never quite know what I will need, and it is a terrible feeling not to have the right clothes! My solution is to overpack. As long as it doesn’t exceed the limit of fitting into the overhead compartment, I will bring it with me. I have also gotten really good at throwing last-minute stuff into my carry-on. This trip is forcing me to evaluate my packing habits. Apparently, hikes/walkers don’t pack much and wear the same outfit over and over again (gasp!). Therefore, I must thoughtfully mix and match my clothing and be a minimalist. This is making me twitch.

If you wear “Garanimals” and/ot pack efficiently, I welcome your expertise. Also, my apologies if this is starting to sound like an episode from “The Office” or “Seinfeld”. It really is amazing how much you can write about nothing.