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An interior look at Champaign Surplus. (Photo by Anne-Marie Cheely, Buzz Photographer)

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Champaign Surplus »
Address: 303 S. Neil St. Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 356-4703
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Wild Country »
Address: 109 West John St. Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 351-4754
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• Finding Walden in CU

With the warmer temperatures of spring often comes the desire to delve deep inside ourselves to find our inner Henry David Thoreau. This means discovering a previously hibernated love for the outdoors and consequently soaking up the spring’s sunshine by engaging in an exhilarating “one with nature” activity. Take hiking for example: Not only is it great physical exercise but it allows us to appreciate all the simplistic beauty of nature.

Did that inspire you to hit the hills and plan a hiking trip this spring or any outdoor activity, for that matter? If so, you’re in luck because the CU is a great place to find equipment for nature adventures.

Champaign Surplus (CS), a “rugged outdoor” store, according to the brochure, is located on Neil Street between Springfield and University avenues. CS is filled to the brim with products meant for outdoor activities. With brands such as Columbia and North Face, everyone interested in exploring Mother Nature can find something to his or her liking. Even the fashionista will be pleased with what CS has to offer. A line of essentially indestructible canvas bags by KAVU are sold in an array of cute and colorful patterns, making them fashionable while still able to handle the wear and tear of a thrilling adventure.

CS sells Mountain Khakis, a line of pants for both men and women, which “are built to offer an extremely durable resistance to the elements and activities of everyday mountain life,” according to the company’s Web site. These pants and shorts are perfect for hiking through forested areas on a crisply delightful spring day. Between these two brands, CS carries an extensive range of brands that are designed for the outdoors type.

A second outfitters, Wild Country, is located on West John Street. This local store carries equipment for activities ranging from snowboarding to scuba diving to camping. Customers can shop through the entire store inventory online. University students can try an orange Illinois sweatshirt by Columbia made of 100 percent featherweight microfleece — perfect for a day of school-spirited climbing.

Various online stores also offer suitable outdoor equipment. With sites such as REI.com, dickssportinggoods.com and altrec.com, there is no excuse to not get outside and enjoy the changing seasons. Equipment — even aesthetically appealing equipment — is out there, right here in Champaign, for that matter. Now that you know where to look for your outdoor supplies, creating your own Walden during a day amongst nature’s beauty should be a cinch.