My Review of REI Flash 18 Pack

Originally submitted at REI

Versatility is the name of the game with the REI Flash 18. For use in your larger backpack or duffel, this lightweight daypack cleverly converts into a stuff sack simply by turning it inside out!

REI Flash 18 Pack

my go-to bag

By Trelimon from rapid city, sd on 4/27/2011

 

4out of 5

Pros: Large capacity, Easy To Load, Comfortable, Highly Adjustable, Lightweight

Best Uses: Hiking, Day trip, Cycling

Describe Yourself: Casual/ Recreational

What Is Your Gear Style: Minimalist

Was this a gift?: No

this is the ONLY bag i take on my day hike adventures. it's light and feels small on my back, yet it's bottomless when it comes to filling it. the daisy chains on the outside are great for clipping any additional gear that just won't fit in the interior.

i do wish there was a loop or snaps that my camelbak bladder could hang on inside the hydration pocket. for now i just slide it in the hydration sleeve and it collapses on itself as i empty it during the hike. thinking i might have to mod it to my liking.

even that one problem does not stop this from being one of the most amazing ultra light and basic bags out there. very streamlined and i love that about this pack. even bought one for my husband because i liked mine so much. i only hope rei keeps making them cause if mine ever kicks the bucket i want to replace it with another one.

Tags: Picture of Product, Using Product

(legalese)

it was a spearfish sunday

my first picture turned out amazingly overexposed!

we were surprised to find snow still covering parts of the trail.

a christmas ornament?

he climbs everything and anything he can find.

the terrible beast that is finn.

huge nests in the trees.

rim of the canyon.

easter fun!

a big thank you to bryan and jaccie for hosting the boys and me for easter dinner. sadly keith only got to be with us for baskets and breakfast before he headed in to work for the day. the kids got to play with friends and eat candy to their hearts content but the biggest hit of the day was the trampoline.

my attempt at getting all the boys in the same picture.

hunting for eggs

a little walt whitman for your easter morn

"in the door-yard fronting an old farm-house, near the white-wash’d palings,
stands the lilac bush, tall-growing, with heart-shaped leaves of rich green,
with many a pointed blossom, rising, delicate, with the perfume strong I love,
with every leaf a miracle......and from this bush in the door-yard,
with delicate-color’d blossoms, and heart-shaped leaves of rich green,
a sprig, with its flower, I break."
    -walt whitman

best friends

jennifer and me, best friends since forever. it was a balm to my soul to hug her after too many years apart. i love you!

ahhhh!

i'm the skeleton of america!
- ronan

kidless hiking

managed to score a sitter for all 3 kids and did some time on the trails over at m hill today. great weather and incredible vistas. it was freeing to walk hand in hand with out having to attend to all the needs that seem to pop up when the boys are with us. a big thank you to jessica over at jessa d photography for giving us some much needed grown up time. love, love, loved today!

a full heart

these are a few of the people that are most dear to my heart. and, in case you can't tell there's a little guy on the way that i haven't met yet but am already head over heels for. so excited for my brother and his wife to welcome their first child this summer. i'm gonna be an aunt!

home again, home again!

we made it back from our big, east coast adventure. the ride there and back was long and tiring but being in south carolina surrounded by family and friends made every mile worth it. driving east was like driving into a completely different world seasonally, one where shorts and t-shirts are already making appearances. we got to hike in several different state parks and camp up at jones gap state park in the mountain bridge wilderness area. all i can say is AMAZING!! i returned home with my feet itching to log more miles on our local trails but we need mother nature to cooperate first.

on the second day of our trek home ronan turned 5! we celebrated at the hitchcock nature center in iowa with a hike and a little playground time. waiting till this weekend to meet up with some friends and do it croteau style. it blows my mind to think i have a 5 year old who is going to be graduating from preschool in a month; kindergarten is just around the corner! eeek! not only did ronan turn 5 but while we were in south carolina he acted as ring bearer for his grandfather. he looked so sharp in his little tux and he couldn't have made me more proud when he walked the rings all the way down the aisle to his uncle.

all in all, april is shaping up nicely. can't wait to see what else this month is going to bring. much love to you all my friends.

brother love

i am amazed every day by how much these boys love each other. yes, they fight and bicker but more often than not they are sharing, sticking up for each other, and helping each other. i love my guys!

paris mtn. state park

a beautiful day in south carolina! temps in the 80's with full sun overhead and a light breeze. just returned from a walk around lake placid over in paris mountain state park. we saw tons of turtles and got to feed the geese. i'm so glad for such good weather on this trip and for such close proximity to outdoor adventures. finishing lunch and looking to see what the rest of the days gonna bring us. ciao for now!

ronan

my big man taking a breather after the wedding. he didn't last very long after this, i think all the excitement really took it out of him.