Fall Camping Upgrade!

This past summer some of our fellow Earthlings were out on the road visiting national parks and public lands far from Texas. When they finally returned home, they shared their stories and photos, and we tried hard not to be too jealous. And, as always, the subject eventually turned to one near and dear to all our hearts – gear. What worked? What didn’t? And what are they planning to bring with them next time? Here’s a sampling of the items we’re adding to our gear collections for a fall camping upgrade.

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Posted on Sep 17, 2020 by Whole Earth

Hiking and Camping with Dogs

We love hiking and camping with our friends and family, and that includes our canine family members as well. Whenever we decide to hike or head out for a camping trip, we plan ahead. We’ll research trails and campgrounds, make lists of the gear and food we’ll need, and have alternative plans in case of bad weather or other unforeseen events. We use the same process when we bring the pup along on our outdoor adventures.

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Posted on Sep 14, 2020 by Whole Earth

Enter The North Face Borealis Giveaway!

Is it time for a new daypack? If your old pack is looking worn or the zippers aren’t performing well, enter The North Face Daypack Giveaway. You might be one of three lucky winners of a Borealis pack! To enter visit our Whole Earth Facebook and Instagram pages, like them, like our The North Face Giveaway post, and tag someone in need of a new pack. That’s it! You’ll be entered! Here are the links to Facebook and to Instagram. You can enter starting August 28th through September 4th. The cutoff for entries is 11:59 pm CDT, September 4, 2020.

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Posted on Aug 31, 2020 by Whole Earth

Revving Up Kids' Brains for School

School will be starting soon. Have you and your family been staying close to home for what seems like far too long? Without a traditional summer vacation, life may have settled into a routine where one day is much the same as the day before. With school on the horizon, it’s time to whisk away the mental cobwebs and rev up our kids’ brains. Here are a few suggestions to exercise their “little gray cells” and have fun at the same time.

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Posted on Aug 27, 2020 by Whole Earth

Join us for a Hiking 101 Webinar

Don’t let the dog days of August get you down. Cool weather will return sooner or later, and we fervently hope that it will be sooner. If you’re thinking about some fall hikes or if you’re new to hiking and have questions about the where, what, how and when, join us for a Hiking 101 webinar on Wednesday, September 2nd from 6:00 - 7:15 pm.

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Posted on Aug 24, 2020 by Whole Earth

National Park Hiking Trails

Americans are lucky. We have access through our national parks and public lands to an astonishing variety of landscapes. Rocky coasts and sandy beaches; ancient and youthful mountain ranges; temperate rainforests, Giant Sequoias, Bristlecone Pines and old growth forests; scorching deserts, volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers and so much more.

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Posted on Aug 18, 2020 by Whole Earth

Time to Clean Your Chacos!

It’s August. It’s hot. Really hot. Have you noticed a slight odor when you buckle on your Chacos? Are your Chaco straps stuck? Yeah? Same for us. Our feet sweat and when sweat meets dust, we build up a layer of grunge that needs to be removed periodically. As for the straps, there’s probably a nice layer of sand or dirt inside the sole that’s immobilizing them. A nice deep clean is just what they need.

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Posted on Aug 12, 2020 by Whole Earth

A Fresh Start for a Singular Year

The end of summer is in sight, unless you live in Texas where we’ll be facing summer’s heat until at least the middle of October. The calendar says that Labor Day will be here before we know it, and school will be back in session. The big question is where? Will students be learning from home or returning to their classrooms? The uncertainty around this question is causing more than a few sleepless nights for parents, teachers and students.

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Posted on Aug 12, 2020 by Whole Earth

Join us for a Car Camping Webinar

Ready to go camping but not quite sure what you need and how to go about it? Whole Earth can help! Join us for Intro to Car Camping, August 6th from 6 pm to 7:15 pm via Zoom. You can register here. Once registered you’ll receive an email prior to the event with a link and password to join the webinar. And all participants will receive a $10 Whole Earth coupon!

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Posted on Jul 25, 2020 by Whole Earth

Our Beach Trip Favorites

Been cooped up for far too long? Are you hearing the siren call of surf and sand? We are too! Give us a big blue sky, a bright sun, a cooling breeze, the squish of sand between our toes, and the calming drone of the waves. We’ll all be more relaxed and refreshed after spending some quality time at the beach.

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Posted on Jul 25, 2020 by Whole Earth

Opinel - French for Folding Knife

John Keats once said, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” And when the Victoria and Albert Museum in London selected the 100 most beautiful products in the world, the Opinel knife was on the list along with a Porsche 911 and a Rolex watch. Opinel may not be a household name here in the States, but it’s a beloved brand in Europe. They make wooden handle folding knives that come in a variety of sizes that fit well in a pocket, bag or backpack.

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Posted on Jul 25, 2020 by Whole Earth

Stay Hydrated This Summer!

July has come roaring in with triple digit temperatures, high humidity and a heat index that makes us want to hide at home in the air conditioning. When we do venture out, it’s with a water bottle close at hand. Becoming dehydrated is a real possibility with temperatures like these, and it can have consequences we don’t like to think about. So if we’re going to be outdoors in the heat of a Texas summer, we’re carrying water.

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Posted on Jul 10, 2020 by Whole Earth

Get Away in an RV or Camper!

One way to go traveling this summer is to take our home with us. If we’re lucky enough to have access to an RV or a camper, it can be our ticket out of town. We can get on the road and head to some of our favorite outdoor destinations or perhaps somewhere new. We’ll still have to take some precautions, but we’ll be sleeping in our own beds and if there’s a bathroom in our camper, we’re set.

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Posted on Jul 10, 2020 by Whole Earth

Our Favorite Women's Shoes for Everyday

Yes, it’s that day, just like every other day of late. For us, the word everyday has taken on a whole new meaning. It’s not just everyday, it’s Every Day! On the bright side, our pets are thrilled to have us home, especially the pups. So many walks. And we do get to wear comfortable clothes, even at zoom meetings. Our dressy heels are resting quietly in the closet, and our feet are happy as we spend our days in our favorite comfy shoes.

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Posted on Jul 3, 2020 by Whole Earth

Sun Protection for Littles

In summertime, as parents we’re caught on the horns of a dilemma. Some of our favorite memories of childhood are of long summer days filled with fun, free time and daily visits to the pool or the beach, and we want the same for our kids. But we also know that the summer sun can harm young skin and eyes. So how do we find a balance between happy summer memories and keeping our children safe? It’s easier than we may think. As adults we know to use sunscreen and wear sunglasses, sun hats and sun protection clothing. Fortunately, all of these items are also available for children, even young children. So we can protect them while they have fun in the sun.

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Posted on Jun 25, 2020 by Whole Earth

Backyard Birding Basics

During the past few months we’ve gotten to know our neighbors better than ever before. People we used to recognize by their cars, we now greet every day on our morning walks. And we’re getting to know our non-human neighbors as well, especially the ones with feathers.

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Posted on Jun 19, 2020 by Whole Earth

Eight Tips for Summer Survival

Welcome to summer. It’s hot, Hot, HOT! As Texans, we know a thing or two about living in blazing heat. So we thought we’d share a few of our summer survival tips to help you get safely through the sizzling days ahead.

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Posted on Jun 17, 2020 by Whole Earth

Top 3 Running Shoe Brands for Summer

Have you found yourself spending more time out on sidewalks, trails and paths recently? Haven’t we all! Whether you’re taking the dog for a walk, or you’re out for your daily distance run, it’s important to have reliable footwear. With multiple decades of footwear knowledge under our belt, we’ve spent the time, and put in the miles, to find the crème de la crème of performance footwear. Whatever your speed, find the perfect pair of running shoes at Whole Earth today! Shop in-store and online.

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Posted on Jun 12, 2020 by Whole Earth

Find Dad's Gift in Our Father's Day Collection

Well done! You’re already on the lookout for a great gift for Dad. Sometimes it’s easy. If Dad’s got a collection going, finding something new to add to it is a slam dunk. But if your Dad requires a bit more thought and imagination in order to surprise and delight him, we have a few suggestions.

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Posted on Jun 9, 2020 by Whole Earth

Cute Summer Sandals!

Are your feet fretting, feeling closed it? Can they sense that warm weather has arrived and they’re longing to feel a soft summer breeze? If so, free your toes! It’s sandal season! Fresh air and sunshine make for happy feet! At Whole Earth you’ll find many styles to choose from. Are you looking for stylish summer sandals? Are you on a quest for a summer classic? Or perhaps you want all-purpose sandals that are equally at home on dry land or in the water? Here are a few of our favorites!

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Posted on Jun 9, 2020 by Whole Earth

New from YETI Just in Time for Father's Day!

On more than one occasion we’ve wondered how those R&D wizards at YETI come up with their new products. Do they sit around a table and toss out ideas? Do they take copious notes while they’re out having fun? Or do they have their own version of a eureka moment? However they do it, YETI has given the world some very useful and tough gear that we find ourselves wondering how we ever got along without.

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Posted on Jun 9, 2020 by Whole Earth

Must-haves for Kids' Summer Days

Summer is here and uncertainty reigns. But there’s one thing you can be sure of – your kids will want to be outdoors as much as possible. Ideally you want them to wear clothing that will protect them from UV rays and wear shoes that will protect those precious feet from sharp rocks and be equally at home on dry land and in the water. And where will you find them? At Whole Earth, of course!

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Posted on May 27, 2020 by Whole Earth

Stores Reopening!

Whole Earth is pleased to announce that our stores in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio will be reopening on May 29th. Our hours are: Monday through Saturday 11am - 6pm, and on Sunday 12pm to 6pm.

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Posted on May 27, 2020 by Whole Earth

Smartwool Supports Feeding Texas

The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on Texas food banks. As demand has skyrocketed, grocery stores have seen their own shelves emptied and have had little to donate. Food banks and food pantries have been turning to fund drives in an attempt to raise money to purchase food for those in need.

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Posted on May 14, 2020 by Whole Earth