Welcome to #MarketFriday! I am in search of a fishing rod for a birthday present. I admit to having six brothers and letting them do 99% of the gathering of the needed equipment. We kept our fishing tackle all together in the garage with one of the boats. The other boat was docked at the marina. My knowledge of how we acquired the gear was third-hand. It was family. That was good enough when you are young. It could possibly work for me on some days, even now. So, with that, I decided to go to Cabela's, which is a large outdoor sports store. Think camping and fishing, maybe even ~~hunting~~ 4 wheeling, or kayaking.
My dad always had a boat, as far back as I remember. It had a depth finder, but, what he really wanted was sonar, so he could monitor the bottom for clearance and for spotting fish or likely fish locations. Lookey! Lookey! There is one in every size, but, clearly pricey. Oh, look! It's on sale! See how they ramp up the excitement? Throw up that SALE sign and people believe it is. Does anyone remember the blue-light specials from KMart? Oh, they are legendary!
Today, my trip will be all about a fishing rod. I really thought that it would be pretty easy. See-Touch-Buy. Not a chance. I have already been to one other Sporting Goods store which was an epic fail. So, I decided I needed to do a little research. In fact, this is a fact-finding trip. Have you ever done a fact-finding mission?
“Fact-finding may involve researching documents or existing records and data, holding focus groups, interviewing witnesses, or using written surveys and questionnaires.”
Okay, perhaps not quite, but, close enough, yes? I'm looking for bona fide facts about these fishing rods and it seems like *the other store* was guessing about some of the facts. While I don't expect each person working there to know everything, I do expect a level of competency when dealing with customers. It is sad when I know more about their merchandise than they do. I am hoping Cabela's will be different than the other store.
I have to walk through the whole store to get to the department with all things fishing. A vacuum sealer! I think that is my favorite piece of equipment! Well, they all are, but, this one vacuum seals meat, fruit, and whatever else you freeze. I have never had anything go bad. The thing about this kind of equipment is that you need to buy the best you can afford and it will be with you for the rest of your life. You will give it away or throw it away before it wears out.
Today is #MarketFriday initiated by @dswigle (Denise, that's me!!) Join me as we share our markets across the globe. I always look forward to seeing what you send me! It is amazing to see the different markets and cultures of our friends here on Hive.
Cabela's Outdoor Sports Store
5291 Wellington Branch Drive
Gainesville, Virginia 20155
Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Boating Center
Hours: Opens 9 AM - 10 PM
Phone: (571) 222-9000
The third Cabela's in Old Dominion (Virginia) and first in the Washington DC Metro Region, is a 79,000-sq.-ft. store located at the intersection of Linton-Hall Road and Lee Highway in the Virginia Gateway development. The Gainesville store boasts an indoor archery test area, an aquarium, dozens of museum-quality wildlife displays, a Gun Library, and a Bargain Cave. If shopping the wide selection of outdoor equipment works up your appetite, stop by the in-store deli or snag a sweet treat in the Fudge Shop - their fudge is made fresh daily. The Gainesville Cabela's also features a full-service Boat Shop (for those trips to Lake Anna!) and a wide assortment of Cabela's Wildlife & Land Management products, including tractors, attachments, and implements. Find this and more [here](https://www.visitpwc.com/listing/cabelas/1405/)
Dehydraters! Another best kitchen piece of equipment! I like dehydrating snacks and different foods. You don't add anything to it, so it is a natural snack. It doesn't get any better than that. I dry different fruits. They make great snacks and are healthy too! You can buy a dehydrator here. The prices run from $39.00 to $200.00 - I have had the same dehydrator for over 15 years. I love it!
Do you see what I see? Fishing tackle!! I see hooks, lines, baits/lures, rods, reels, floats, sinkers/feeders, nets, spears, gaffs, and traps. On the other side of this aisle, there are wires, snaps, beads, spoons, blades, spinners, clevises, and tools that cut. I have to admit, it seems like an endless supply! I have to admit, I like looking at lures... Shiny and new lures... Reminds me of something else. :)
Everything is decorated with the hunter and gatherer in mind. Apologies if I have offended anyone. Not my intention.
It has been a busy day, going from one huge sporting goods store to another. It wouldn't be so bad, but once you go down the wrong aisle and get caught up in the kayaks and camping equipment, you are lost in the wilderness of the store. It happens... and so, this quick little check or fact-finding mission went rogue. I got caught up in so many different ways. I did see a nice kayak that pretty much had my name on it. Perhaps Santa will bring that to me?
This is actually the second store that I have been at this week, shopping for a fishing rod, (pole) it is definitely not something I would want to buy online. It needs to be touched and it is usually nice if you can customize the rod handles. They protect your rod's handle from the elements.
For me, I probably have six fishing rods that were made for me, all saltwater poles and two of them deep sea poles. I know that is Greek to me, I just need a pole to fish. The fact that they were made for me is not lost on me, nor am I ungrateful. I cannot believe how unbelievably lucky I am and wished I used it more. Perhaps moving closer to the Shore House might fix everything.
**Please leave the link to your post here so it can easily be found by others. It helps you and me to have them in one place. Where else can you take such a quick trip around the globe? Thank you so much for joining us!! ❤**
And just like that, this post is done. I know! I say that every week, but, I just like to signal that the show is over! Thank you for taking the time to visit and just remember, #MarketFriday loves you! Because we went to Cabela's, there was nothing really new to learn, but, I did check out a new fishing pole for my son's birthday. They are no longer inexpensive and I decided to go back home to the family fishing shop and get it custom-built. Actually, I will send him but, I will make a fancy gift certificate and let him pick his poison. Cheers!!
*As always, there must be flowers to color my world. #alwaysaflower* Do you have a flower that is your favorite, that you like best? Better than all the rest?
Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge! Looking to take part in it? Here is how:
Rules of the Road to Join #MarketFriday!
Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge! Looking to take part in it? Here is how:
Rules of the Road to Join #MarketFriday!
1.Go to any type of market, or anywhere where you pay money for a service. It can be a museum, a movie theatre, or an auction. Be creative!
2.Tell us a little bit about the market or the event. What brought you there? What did you buy? How much did it cost? We like to compare prices, otherwise, it is just pictures of a market!
3.Post the pictures! No out-of-focus ones, please! Tell a little bit about the pictures that you post. Having many pictures to scroll through does not make a better post without explanation.
4.Use the MarketFriday Community Platform to post #hive-196308 (this is not required, but appreciated) If you don't, then #MarketFriday should be your first tag
5.Following me and reblogging the post so more see it would be appreciated !! Not a rule, just appreciated, more vision for more views on your posts!
6 You must put #MarketFriday by
@dswigle somewhere on your post.
7.#MarketFriday post should be submitted sometime on Friday UTC
8.The post MUST be in English
9.Drop the link into the MarketFriday comment section so I can find it
As always, please remember! #MarketFriday loves you!
