REI’s policy on returned mechandise:

Returns and Exchanges

Returns and Exchanges by Mail

Every item you purchase at REI is 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Whether you made your purchase online, by mail or in an REI store, you may return or exchange it by mail or at any of our retail locations. Returns information and instructions are listed below and can also be found on the back of your invoice.

To make a return or exchange by mail:

1. Please include a copy of your receipt, invoice or gift packing list, or if you no longer have one of these, a letter with the following information:
   • Name
   • Member or customer number
   • Address
   • Phone number
   • E-mail address
   • When, where and by whom the purchase was made
   • Reason for the return
   • Purchase price of the item(s)
2. Please specify whether you would like an exchange, a repair, a refund or a bankcard credit.
3. Insure the package for your protection and return to:

   (Via UPS):

   • REI Returns Dept.
   • 1700 45th St E.
   • Sumner, WA 98352

   (Via USPS):

   • REI Returns Dept.
   • PO Box 1700
   • Sumner, WA 98390
4. You can expedite an exchange by placing a new order with your bankcard and returning the unwanted merchandise for credit.
5. Please launder or clean any used merchandise being returned

To me this translates to if you purchased a Nalgene bottle and wish to get rid of it because of the BPA scare it would fall under their policy because you are not “100% satisfied”. And no you do not need a reciept they have a pretty extensive record of your purchases provided you have a current membership. They looked up when I purchased a pair of boots from 6 years back!!

I think it is great when a society can laugh at its faults. Now I have nothing against Mormons, or jokes about their “seer” stones, or their laws (well I guess I have a slight problem with some of their laws). But I do love the fact some that are feeling the pressure of the “man” have found away to kick a little sand in his eye.

Wasatch Brewery has a great way of doing it and their Polygamy Porter is one of them. Sounds fake I know but I saw it on the shelf if a liquor store in Moab.

Real beer, 4% alcohol brewed by Wasatch in Utah. Love the sense of humor!!! Thought about giving it a shot but said screw it, I didn’t know where it had been.

There are probably a few of you out there that know that I rode a bike across this great country a few years back. So when I mention these folks understand that I have experienced the pain and pleaseure, though not at their level. I departed from San Diego, CA and ended up in Jacksonville, FL and it only took me 27 days!! Which comes out to a little over 100 miles a day. Impressive right? Not really, not even close.

If you want ot be impressed you should check out these guys. The Race Across AMerica is a group of elite cyclists that literally race across the U.S., they started in Oceanside, CA and end in Annapolis, MD a full 3000 miles and most cover it in as few as 7 days!!! These guys and gals are nuts!!!

Check out this quote from their site , it says it all.

“This is a Race. Unlike other famous races, like the Tour de France, RAAM is not a stage race. The race is one stage, live to the very end. In RAAM, once the clock starts on the west coast, the clock doesn’t stop until each racer reaches the finish line on the east coast. RAAM is 30% longer than the Tour de France and racers finish in half the time with no rest days. The race format is essentially a time trial, commonly called racing against the clock or the race of truth. Unlike the Tour de France, there is no drafting or taking shelter from the wind. It’s an all out solo challenge.”

While I was driving through the southwest we ran into a few of them and here is one of the shots we got, from the truck with the windows up and A/C blasting. Most of these were taken around Mexican Hat, Utah where the winds were fierce and the heat was brutal.

Hail to the warriors!!

Once MtnMama and I left Vail we bolted for the freedom of the great out doors and headed to the mountain biking mecca that is Fruita, CO.

There is no place like Fruita if you want to get out on some short snappy runs. The mountain biking is phenomenal, there are no lines, no crowds, no noise. Just beautiful sweet single track with short climbs and great drops. This trip out I rode about six loops in a few hours and definitely got my fill.

The weather is still cool enough to not burn out and bonk due to heat, then again I started out on my first ride around 630 am. Unfortunately we were on a bit of a time bind so I only got the chance to hit up a few of the trails which included: Frontside, Joe’s Ridge, Zippety Do Da, Western Zippity, Prime Cut, Chutes and Ladders, and Kessel Run.

Here is a link to a topo of the area. If any of you riders out there get the chance to hit up this western Colorado gem go for it.

Directions are pretty simple as long as you can keep up with the way the “Fruitloops” name their roads. Just remember you want 18 road until it ends then set up camp and ride. All of these loops are short and full of excitement from crushing climbs to cloth touching exposed descents!!! Fruita has it all.

Another thing do not lock yourself in to only the 18 road rides there is an entirely different world awaiting you at either Kokopelli’s Loop rides or at Rabbit Valley. Both of these other areas have killer single track that will blow your mind!!! Check out some of the pics from the area.

This years TMG were phenomenal!! It is always amazing to see such highly competitive, highly skilled athletes come together for such a great event.

For day 3 we headed to the IFSC bouldering world cup finals, kayak freestyle finals and the slope style qualifier. Day 4 we watched the kayak sprints and the world renowned 8 ball challenge.

All in all a good time was had by all. Code Man was on the move constantly and I think I peddled him all the way around Vail at least twice!! So the results of a lot of these events are news to me as well. All in all we had a great time at the Teva Mountain Games 2008. This is the place to get re-inspired for all of your outdoor adventures. Not to mention that the PBR was everywhere!!!

Today we headed to the games hoping the day would be nicer than the over cast rainy day we had yesterday and we were not disappointed. Blue skies and warm weather allowed the competitions to rock on with out a hitch.

Day 2 of the games were full of great athletes ranging from the climbers sending sick boulder problems, to the freestyle kayakers getting absolutely nutty flipping all over the place. The freeride bikers were showing up ready to rock the course and last but not least, not by a long shot were the dock dogs blasting into the stratosphere!!

I am pretty blown out from the day so I will cut this post short, enjoy some of the pics MtnMama took today.

Can anyone name the climber?