Swisslink Surplus finds

A recent visit to an Army/Navy surplus store in Augusta Maine rekindled my interest surplus stores. My brother turned me on turned me onto Swisslink, a military surplus store selling goods from around the world. Here are some products that I would love to have.

Swiss Salt & Pepper Canvas Backpack
An automatic German Sextant Watch
German WWII M36 Wool Tunic
Garrison Saddle Leather 1 1/4inch Belt Available in Tan, Walnut, or Black
And my Favorite, An Original Swiss Army Blanket.

Pendleton rocking Horse

Growing up I wanted to be A cowboy. I played with six shooter cap guns, cowboy boots and dressed up in chaps. On the second floor of the Portland Outdoor Store, nestled in the back corner, I found this Pendleton rocking horse and immediately fell in love. The craftsmanship and detail is amazing. I couldn't think of a better gift for a young boy or girl.

Portland Outdoor Store

The Portland Outdoor Store opened for business on the corner of 3rd and Oak in downtown Portland in 1919. Over the last seventy-nine years the store has changed hands once. It continues to carry the same traditional American western brands like Levi's, Stetson, Tony Lama, Georgia Boot, Woolrich, Pendleton, Filson and British brands like Barbour and Clarks.

In addition to these core brands, the Portland Outdoor Store offers a bunch of English and American horse tack and equipment and a full range of men's wool suits from companies like Pendleton. The Portland Outdoor Store staff knows the equipment inside and out and is very helpful in offering advice.

For added income, the store rents out expensive goods like saddles, jackets and bridles for 10% of an item's retail price for using in movies, plays and photo shoots.

I can't say enough about this store. It is an institution. Walking through its doors, one travels back in time. I can't think of a more authentic experience. The store resembles a real life Free & Easy magazine with a large collection of western memorabilia and merchandising. A number of stores, such as the RRL on Bleaker Street, have tried to recreate the same atmosphere, but they fall dramatically short. With their classic selection of American and English heritage brands, as well as their long standing tradition as a provider of outdoor equipment, the Portland Outdoor Store represents the best of the resurgence movement.

Come to Portland, stay in the nearby Ace Hotel, and shop at the Portland Outdoor Store.
Here is a typical Portland Outdoor Store shopper.


Filson Mackinaw Jackets and Filson Tin Cloth in the foreground.Filson Doulbe Mackinaw Hats and Pendleton Shirts
Stetson Hats.
This is where I got my Filson Alaskan Guide Shirt.
Second Floor: Woman's Clothing and Equestrian equipment and me with my new canon 17-55mm f2.8 lens.
The Third Floor: Saddles, Stirrups, and a Gun Holster (pictured below).
The Portland Outdoor Store offers no-commission sales of used saddles(pictured below).
The In-house expert will find the right boot for you from their 3000 pair inventory.
The Popick family has run the store since 1929 when Brad's grandfather, Abe Popick, and his cousin, Nate Director, bought the store.

Calvin and Hobbes' take on the Bailout

Growing up I loved Calvin and Hobbes(as pictured above). I am dyslexic and struggled to learn to read. Calvin and Hobbes' writing was easy enough for me to decipher yet sophisticated enough keep me interested. From age nine until eleven, i amassed the complete Calvin and Hobbes collection.

I admire Calvin's rebelliousness and independence. I love Bill Watterson's sarcastic style and his allusions to real world issues and conflicts. Here is a cartoon i found particularly relevant...