Originally Posted by Shannon

Thanks for that reminder -- I had to check our online Yellow Pages to verify that because it wasn't dawning on me where they're located. You are indeed correct -- we have one Oshman's in town. I'll have to make a visit. I'm only familiar with Academy, and less so the Whole Earth Provision (neat store, but in one of the most upscale shopping centers in town, with prices inside to match). It's why I do most of my gear shopping online (Campmor.com, REI.com, etc.) after extensive research and word-of-mouth.

I think I need to do a Q&A article with one or more of you backpackers here -- a sort of "Beginning Backpacking Guide". I have so many questions that I know I'd get some awesome answers to from the group here, and it'd help Justin and I as well as others in our situation. If anyone's interested, let me know here or via PM and I'll email you a copy of the questions when I write them up. If you have a website of your own, you could even republish the completed article if you participate in helping answer questions for it -- in the interests of sharing knowledge and getting others properly educated and equipped for backpacking.
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