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| Keith's spooky front porch |
My downstairs neighbor Keith has once again hauled out his Halloween decorations. Since I walk up the stairs to my apartment right next to his front porch, I get to smile at these several times a day. I think most of the pumpkins are from his garden. The eyes on his BBQ are new this year. Glad he's got a sign warning people about the danger here.
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| My new rain jacket |
And I just got back from REI, where I purchased yet another rain jacket. The one I bought last year didn't work very well, and it was too heavy. This one feels just right, but the enormous selection didn't make it an easy choice. Not to mention the prices were all over the place; this one was sort of middle-of-the-road. The reviews online were mostly positive, and it has high zippers which makes it much easier to use the pockets when I'm wearing my backpack with the waist belt.
To think I could have spent close to $400 on a
rain jacket shocked me! This is an REI brand, which means it's less expensive than a Patagonia or Black Diamond, which I also looked at and tried on for size. If you're interested, REI has a very interesting page that explains how rain gear actually works. Check it out
here. My new jacket is made with something called "REI Elements" and has pit (underarm) zips, which I think really helps to keep me drier and certainly more comfortable when I have to wear it while hiking.
Anyway, you know I'll keep you posted if it works well enough to recommend. I just returned from reading the entire page I linked. Very interesting read indeed!
:-)
Lol, he's definitely in the mood for Fall, those Halloween decorations would make me smile too :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes you just have to pay the price for a decent jacket, yours looks like it would stand up to the test, on all those mountain hikes.
~jo
Love your neighbours fun display - particularly the eyes on the barbecue. There is nothing which doesn't bite back some time.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your rain gear.
Keith must love Hallowe'en. Good for him.
ReplyDeleteI hope the jacket is everything you are looking for in rain gear.
wow... $400 for a rain jacket? yeah, even you hard-core hiker types would have a hard time justifying that. :)
ReplyDeletelove the grill!!
Rain gear is pretty touchy as each person is different when it comes to perspiration. The only thing I can wear is gortex. I know it's old. I have to be careful with shells as I can get wet inside. I hope the new jacket does the trick.
ReplyDeleteHope you jacket keeps you dry! It is a very pretty color:)
ReplyDeleteHope it works well!
ReplyDeleteYour neighbor's decorations are awesome! I'd be curious to know how well the REI rain jacket works. I'm on my 2nd Mountain Hardware jacket and this brand has worked fairly well for me. It helps I live very close to the Columbia Sportwear employee store, and can sometimes buy things there at half price!
ReplyDeletecute patio, and good luck with your new rain jacket!
ReplyDeleteI love the eyes on the grill. Clever and convincing. Sure hope your new jacket does just what you want. With all the wet weather you hike in--comfort must be paramount. Let us know.
ReplyDeleteI never knew there was so much to rain gear! Let's hope this one works great. That would be a sight that would bring a smile. I've never been into decorating much for holidays but I appreciate the people who do. :)
ReplyDeleteFar too much choice. I bought a new lightweight one this Summer that I am really pleased with but I need a new heavier one for the winter, I just don't have the energy to go shopping for one. Hope yours is as good as the reviews.
ReplyDeleteI don't wear rain jackets here in Hawaii. Lol.
ReplyDeleteI hope this new rain jacket actually repels the rain! I had an off-brand one that didn't keep me dry at all. You spend enough time out-of-doors that it makes sense to spend more, but maybe not $400!
ReplyDeleteNice looking rain jacket!!
ReplyDeleteI love Halloween decorations.
ReplyDeleteRain jackets are so tricky. To be truly waterproof, they are not breathable, so you can get just as wet from sweat build up. Breathable jackets are rain repellent, not waterproof, so eventually they will soak through. I hope your new one works well.
Nice jacket, nice pumpkins. I hope your downstairs neighbor takes his grill off the patio and onto the lawn when he grills. We've had several fires due to condo owners barbecuing on their decks, too close to the wood building.
ReplyDelete