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Camping changes over time.

2K views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  kayakado 
#1 ·
My F I L took my Hubby fishing starting in the 50s in the lower Sierra's. His Unkle and a few close Friends also went the 4 miles of switchback Trail to the Creek at different times, climbed down a Tree and Cliff to the water and fished till they had a limit. That was Fly fishing, Hubby even tied his own Fly's. Then up the Cliff and Tree, build a Fire and using a Skillet, cornmeal and Oil that was kept in a hollow Tree and replenished by every Fisherman that came there, cooked the Trout and ate the whole mess.
Later they fished for one more Limit, cleaned them, put them in the Wicker Creel with Willow Branches to keep them fresh and headed for home. For Snacks there were always Candybars and Vienna Sausage. The Creek supplied the water. If it got to late and could not get down the Mntn, sleeping on a bed of Pine needles, that was camping. We did not worry about having having a Compass , we were careful and respected nature. If a Bear was near we stopped and never put our Hand and Feet anywere where we could not see if a Rattler was near,

I did it one time and never again, was to hard all that walking and climbing.
 
#2 ·
The favorite camping spot we had was 20 miles upriver via a small fishing boat. We camped on a sandbar without tents, fished for the monster catfish and in general had fun. We took everything in by boat and everything back out to keep the sandbar clean for others. Cargo was limited because each boat had to carry extra gas to get back so cooking was done over a driftwood fire in a single cast iron pan. We could have probably carried more cooking stuff if we cut back on the beer supplies :lol:
 
#3 ·
For me it only changes is cos i aint ever doing it again.

We did enjoy it 20 years ago when the boys were young. So many pros and cons :-

Going to sleep in tents on the banks of Loch Ness. Going to sleep to the sound of tiny waves breaking on the pebbles, the boys fearfully excited of seeing the monster...PRO
Waking the next morning to damp EVERYTHING...CON
Not caring how you look or what youre wearing...PRO
Having to pee behind a bush and wash in a freezing cold river...CON
Enjoying Family time. Feeling part of the magnificent Scottish hills and mountains...PRO
The boys wanting home after3 days cos they missed their pals and the tv...CON

Anyway. Lots of happy memories but NEVER AGAIN. I like a comfy bed now when we go away and breakfast cooked and washed up by someone else.
 
#4 ·
giggle. bughut you hit a button!

as a young twit I went on a many long hikes - one to two weeks. packing _everything_ in, leaving nothing but ashes, brown spots & puddles behind. actually we abbreviated it "all in, asp out" I'll let your imagination work on the asp part.

loved it. often though of trying some again - until

"waking up in the morning damp through" - oh dear, mebbe I need to rethink that bit....
I recall digging out my down cocoon sleeping bag mid-day and "wearing it" over my shoulder so it would dry.... worked when it wasn't raining <g>
 
#5 ·
I have camped since a young age. The best was when we were teens and my parents would let us camp sans adults on Assateague Island, VA. We'd backpack in and parentals would stay in town.

Now my friends and I camp out of kayaks, which means hauling stuff doesn't require any backpacks or carting heavy gear around on our backs. Once the boats are loaded that's it. The boats are big enough to carry most anything for gourmet meals. Once a year we have a big trip with a support boat. Meals over a four night stay are Tapas with Beef tenderloin, Low Country Boil with shrimp, crab and lobster, Fried Turkey with most of the trimmings, a Stir Fry or spaghetti and plenty of good wine to go with it.

I gave up tents years ago in favor of a hammock -- no rocks under your back, no stiffness in the morning, no bugs or rodents as bedfellows, no flooded tent... - just generally the best way to sleep.
 
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