Mt Whitney Zone Forums The Chat Room For fun: Lowest REI membership number out there

My parents number was 90 something. Wonder where I got the outdoor bug?

04462536!

And we want proof on your parent's number.

Seven digits, and I'm out of the running by a couple million or so. But then again, REI didn't start opening stores on the east coast till relatively recently. Cabela's and Bass Pro were my primary outlets till REI became convemient here.

04323367. I think I became a member in 1997.

> My parents number was 90 something. Wonder where I got the outdoor bug?

Wow! Mine's 204026 -- easier to remember than a phone number.

Bought my first down filled mummy bag from REI ...back about '72. Used it again two weeks ago. ...of course that indicates I don't get out enough.

Damn Steve, my sleeping bag in 1972 was green and had US on it and I was always cold.

> Damn Steve, my sleeping bag in 1972 was green and had US on it and I was always cold.

I was "2S" at that time, then got lucky in the lottery.

#202766. When the Colorado Springs store opened several years ago they had a contest with a nice prize
for the person with the lowest number. I figured I was a cinch to win, but some"old" guy (I am 72) aced
me out and by quite a few hundred lower numbers. Actually a friend of mine who works at REI here also was
lower than I, but he was not eligible for the prize. He joined a few months earlier than I did back in 1961.

I too had a US green down surplus store sleeping bag, circa 1948 when I lst started hiking the John Muir Trail
at age 10. I carried it in one of those gosh awful heavy A frame metal packs, also from the surplus store.

I wish my father was still around to show you "proof". If he was still with us, he would be 94 years old. Actually, he is always with me. He was very proud of his card, especially every time we went into REI. They would always be amazed at his number, and call everyone over to see it.

On the subject of REI, if you've not visited their flagship store in downtown Seattle, it's a must-see next time you're there. It's REI's version of a Cabela's or Bass Pro Shop, without all the hunting/boating/fishing inventory. Steve, you might even find all the stuff you need at that one.

My boy lives just a few miles away. Serious Jealousy!

Where?! Maybe he can get Steve what he needs!

And the jealously's probably not just for the REI-on-every-corner situation up there. For hiking, Seattle is fun-central. You can be above the clouds at Mt. Rainier in less than 2 hours, in the rainforests or snowy peaks of the Olympics in about the same time, and in the "American Alps" of the North Cascades in 3 hours. Not to mention the San Juans, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens and on and on - all just a relatively short distance away from a large, thriving metro area. The coffee there isn't bad either.

I'm driving the family to Seattle for Spring Break, leaving this Sunday afternoon. I've been to their REI though. I hope to take my girls to Pikes Market and watch 'em throw fish. Maybe the Space Needle. Troll under the bridge, too. Maybe the original Starbucks since it's close to the fish place.

I love that market! We've used a video at work called "The Fish", filmed at Pike Place, for years as a motivational tool. Amazing how people can have so much fun tossing fish around for a living. It was great to finally see it in person. Our daughter enjoyed the auto ferry trip across Puget Sound almost as much as anything else.

Have a great trip. Are you visiting any of the national parks while you're there?

We're visiting friends and family in Seattle and on Whidbey Island.

Maybe we'll get up to Olympic National Park, or maybe out to the Hoh Rain forest area. We're definitely doing a San Juan Islands ferry loop out of Anacortes.

Don't forget to visit the Whidbey Portal Store.

Haven't heard about the Whidbey Island Store. what is it?

He gotcha, Steve, he gotcha!

As Swiper the Fox says:



Oh Maaaan!!!!  




...Need...more...coffee!

Got mine from the Seattle store in the early 70's. #311565