no hiking today, but i did make it to rei for what feels like the fiftieth time this month. i finally bought my hat. settled on your standard nerdy hiker hat. khaki. wide rim. i wore it around the house with my fleece vest tonight. felt like a forest ranger. or a peace core house builder. who is well protected from the sun.


and who knew that national geographic makes bandanas in antifungal microfiber with moisture wicking? it's warm in winter, cool in summer. soft and comfortable. and there are more than 12 ways to wear this bandana "buff". it's a scarf, it's a mask, a wristband, a cap, and my favorite, a neckerchief.


for added laughs, go to the website where you can WATCH FOUR LESSONS ON HOW TO WEAR YOUR BUFF!!!!! yes, i am officially now a hiking GEEK!


the hardest point though is trying to color coordinate your hiking outfits, tanks with t's, shorts with rain gear jacket, long sleeves with outer fleeces. somehow it has become my goal to try to be matching on the trail in france. obsessive maybe, but on a cold cold morning after i've had my coffee and look towards 14 miles up, it is looking cute in pigtail braids, national geographic bandana, and coordinated layers that just may get me through feeling a little more peppy.