Hey SMD Friends,
Here in Oregon, outdoor enthusiasts are heading to the trails, parks, and waterfronts to enjoy the stunning autumn colors and cooler weather. One of the best things about Portland is that you're never far away from tons of local trails. Forest Park offers an escape into the woods right in the heart of the city, and nearby Mount Hood is always a hotspot for hiking, paddling, and even early snow activities. Just a stone's throw from our Six Moon Designs headquarters, Fanno Creek offers a peaceful and accessible trail, regularly used by some of our team members for lunchtime walks.
This past weekend, I had the chance to escape the city for a family trip to Bellingham, Washington. Even though a stomach bug tried to ruin the fun, I still had an great time. My brother has lived in Bellingham for the last eight years and I enjoy any excuse to go visit. Especially since he’s a baker, which means indulging in lots of delicious treats!
We spent a good portion of our trip exploring the scenic Chuckanut Drive and enjoying the beauty of the coastline. The area around the San Juan Islands never ceases to amaze me, and I can’t wait to return, perhaps next time for a camping or backpacking adventure with more of our Six Moon Designs gear!
One thing I definitely appreciated was having our Grocery Go Getter with us. Whether we were relaxing by the water with blankets and snacks or hopping in and out of local shops, it proved to be the perfect bag. I even used it to bring along everything Gus, our family dog, needed to join us on the adventure.
As the seasons change and we transition between storing or swapping out gear, it’s the perfect time to think about the upkeep of the gear we use year-round. This week, we're pulling an old blog post from the archives to spotlight one of the most overlooked, but essential, parts of ultralight gear: the zipper. Zippers used to be my biggest frustration, but with a little know-how, maintaining or even replacing them becomes a much simpler task.
Have a great week!
- Serena & the SMD Team