 It’s a normal day, then suddenly someone posts an offer for free gear stickers or an adventure or hiking blog that you follow does the same thing on Facebook or Twitter. Suddenly, you’re giddy, full of joy and dreaming of slapping that new sticker on the back of your adventure mobile, laptop cover or tablet. Why? I get questioned a lot at the grocery store or from friends about the back of my Jeep (aka “George”). Recently, I started to think am I that different from other people in town? As I would drive back and forth to school to pick up and drop off the girls, I began paying specific attention to other cars. I think I am a little different than most in town I have noticed. I am sure that other people in places that are closer to adventure and hiking are just like me too. Jeez, I hope so anyway! Here in town the only people who are even similar in the amount of stickers that I have on the back of George are the few overzealous progressive folks with the Obama, Ready for Hillary, Peace stickers and now the Buy Local Eat Local stickers covering the backs of their Prius. Good for them! On the other political side of the spectrum I have witnessed a few half rusted out pick-ups with the exact polar opposite bumper stickers plastered all over truck. Some of these I wonder on a few of these trucks are to prove or make a statement as much as they are to keep the truck together. Ok… So now there are other people in town who are crazy about stickers too. What I have found is that we are a very small, small minority of the population out on the road. Obviously the people who have social issues or political stickers on their rides are doing it for a cause or to make a statement. The question still looms, why are we doing it? I like letting people know that I love being outside, hiking and adventuring. Some people just buy Subaru’s and Jeep’s because they want people to think they are in fact like the rest of us. What posers! HA! I am selective on what stickers I put on George or on gear boxers and other locations. But I do as mentioned get super excited when I know stickers are coming in the mail. Working from home and knowing “they” might come today is a huge deal. I’m not sure who is more excited about seeing the mailman on those days, me or Boston (my dog). I think the bigger reason for me and maybe for others is a sense of being a part of something bigger then you. To me seeing the back of the Jeep every day and looking at a gear sticker reminds me of that piece of gear and where I used it and how much I enjoyed the experience and settings. Blogger stickers remind me of maybe a story, trip report that led me to a new place or actually hiking with that person. And finally trip or locale stickers remind me of that place, the amazing experiences and new friends turned hiker family members that I now have. Stickers have been come a visual representation of my outdoor life and where better to place them on my adventure mobile that takes me to and from my adventures.
I hope you or someone like you is just like me and enjoys their stickers too! If you are proud of your ride that is plastered with stickers let us see it, post it to our Facebook page and we will share for all too see.
If you would like a Hiking Forward Sticker for your adventure mobile send us a note by clicking here. Keep Hiking Forward! Scott
2 Comments
Father's Day is just a few short weeks away! Don't Panic! Here at Hiking Forward we have your back to ensure that dear ole Dad is happy and you are a star!
The best thing to do is assess what kind of Dad you have? Is Dad more of a weekend warrior? A ultra light weight gear head or just happy mowing the grass and then taking a snooze in the lounge chair? No matter the type of Dad or Husband you are buying for we here at Hiking Forward think we have some awesome ideas for all types of Dad's! All of the products below have all been tested and used by Hiking Forward. As a Dad myself of two young girls (Grace 9 - but soon to be 10 and Gabby 7) I have thought about the moments I have recently most enjoyed with my girls over the past year. Many people always think of things... tangible items in exchange for moments, experiences and or quality in life. After much pondering here is a list of 5 Great Gift Ideas for Dad, some tangible and some that will last a lifetime in dear ole Dad's heart and mind. So is your Dad a Superman? Then lets treat him like one!
#1 - Give Dad the Gift of Sharing Something He Loves With the Kids
Depending on what your Dad or Husband's passion is this may or may not cost a truckload of money or need a whole lot of planning. But, as a Dad who has had a chance to share my passion for various things that are important to me with my girls, let me tell you... it's AWESOME! Last August, I got to take my girls to St. Louis to see their very first Major League Baseball Game (MLB) and my and our beloved Boston Red Sox play the St. Louis Cardinals. We had great seats and got to stand close to the field and see the players. My heart skipped beat when both girls could pick out the players using their made up nicknames for them. To this day the photo of me and my family all dressed in our Red Sox gear is my photo background on my IPhone. Getting to pass on the love of something especially something Dad's grew up loving onto his kids in hopes they love it just half as much is Priceless. (Sorry to sound like a Mastercard commercial).
#2 - Get Dad A Hammock
A Hammock? Yes! A Hammock. Dad works hard. An from time to time us Dad's like an afternoon snooze, after mowing the grass, or reading the Sunday paper or maybe even after reading a story one of the kids. Summer is almost here. This is now prime hammock snoozing and or hammock camping time. The worst thing is getting a gift you can't use for five months, right? Don't you remember getting a bicycle for Christmas and thinking... "WOW! This will be great in JUNE! Gee thanks Mom and Dad!" So get Dear Ole Dad a gift he can use NOW! ENO Hammocks can now be purchased virtually anywhere local sporting goods stores, online and your closet REI stores and the come in like a million colors!
#3 - Sign Up Dad and The Kids to Do Something "EPIC" Together
As a Dad who travels a lot for work, these moments of EPICNESS are huge for me. So what are the kids into? Just like Dad wants to share his passions, the kids do too. Sign Dad and the kids up to do something awesome together. A Mud Run, a 5K, a kayak/canoe race. Nothing is sweeter then having the kids show Dad the ropes at something no matter their age. It's important for the kids to be the big shot from time to time and show Dad a thing or two. Yet, together the experience will last in both Dad and the kids mind forever. "Hey Dad, remember that time when..." Yeah help Dad create "those" memories with the kids this Father's Day. Grace is a runner and her and I have participated twice in her semi-annual Girls on the Run 5k's. But last summer, we wanted to beat our 5K times. So, together just a short distance from our house together we did it. Both Grace and I raced to complete the 5k and get 5k PR's. Usually we are waiting for mom to finish her long distance road races and get to yell about her PR's this time the shoe was on the other foot and it felt amazing!
#4 - Get Dad Some Quality Products from Stanley to Carry his Favorite Beverages In
Stanley is brand we all know and can trust. If your kitchen cabinets are anything like mine you probably have a host of mugs, lids and assorted travels mugs that either leak, can't keep your coffee hot or hold enough in them. Clear out your cabinets of all that mess and get Dad a set of Stanley mugs that will last a lifetime of use and abuse. Stanley Products are built for life. Whether your Dad or Husband is surviving another outdoor adventure, tailgating at a football game or working hard for the family in the garage or on the job site, Stanley Products can handle whatever he throws at them. Let Dad show off his #Stanleyness with one of these fine Stanley Products. The Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle (1.4QT) The Stanley Classic One Hand Vacuum Mug (12oz, 16 ox, or 20oz options) The Stanley Adventure Flask (8oz) (My Personal Fav!) 
Stanley® Classic Vacuum Bottle 1.4 Quart The Stanley trademark reads, "Built for Life," and that says it all for this vacuum bottle. Double-wall stainless steel construction. Vacuum insulation keeps liquid hot or cold for 24 hours. Lid doubles as an 11-oz drinking cup. Heavy duty handle folds flat.
Great for the Dad that is a hard worker and tough on his gear. This bottle will keep his hot drinks hot and withstand the toughest elements and days on the job site. 
Stanley® Adventure Flask 8 Oz.
Stanley Adventure series 8-oz flask is rugged stainless steel for years of superior service. Leakproof construction. Easy packing design.
Fits most anywhere for your next adventure. 
Stanley® Classic One-Hand Vacuum Mug Stanley's One-Hand Vacuum Mug keeps 16 oz. of your favorite drink hot for up to 6 hours. Just press the button to drink--let go and it's leak proof.
Get rid of all those loose and unusable cups and mugs in "that" cabinet in your kitchen. Get Dad the last coffee mug he will ever need. He will love it!
#5 - Get Dad What He Likes to Drink When He is Relaxing
So, is Dad a coffee connoisseur? A craft beer nut? Or is Dad into bourbon or Whisky? No matter his taste Dad will love sitting back and enjoy his favorite drink maybe in his new hammock or from one of his new Stanley Products.
So toast to Dad's everywhere this Father's Day for all that they do. And remember no matter what you get Dad he will love it. Well except for an ugly tie. Dad's hate ugly ties!
Keep Hiking Forward! & Happy Father's Day All! Scott 
|
Hiking Forward Stickers
Archives
July 2018
Categories
All
 |
