Yesterday we spent over three hours at REI or Recreational Equipment Inc. gathering outdoor gear and clothing for my husband’s upcoming hike to Machu Picchu in Peru! I tagged along and expected to offer advice (if needed) as I read on my phone while he picked up all the unknown paraphernalia.

Tough aesthetic

To my surprise I found myself excited as I entered the place! Shocking as I’ve never been sporty or adventurous and only started to appreciate jogging/hikes after moving to the Bay Area last year. Being a designer, I guess the first reason for my interest was the way the space felt and looked. I liked the tough feel of the space. The timber ceiling, chunky wood hand rails and wire fence on the stairs with an exposed horizontal metal beam floating above. Although the space isn’t extravagant I thought it was well-organized, easy to navigate through and the right aesthetic for the sports and adventure enthusiasts.  I tried my best to capture the space using my phone camera and my limited photography skills (the lighting there didn’t help)!

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I also appreciated the energy of the staff helping us out and sharing their personal stories about the products on the shelves which was really refreshing! What was meant to be a dull trip to some sports equipment store turned out to be an experience worth writing about and also an opportunity to buy new walking shoes and a sun hat for my upcoming trip to Boston and New Orleans!

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I guess we are both set for our special adventures!