by doug hodder » Sun May 17, 2009 8:29 pm
The sound and smell of the stoves and lantern always bring back fond memories of camping for me. As a kid...that was vacation, load the 57 Ford station wagon and go camping. No one ever took a plane ride back then for a vacation!, even if it was just a weekend up in the woods with the leaky tent, love that old canvas smell as well, but am not willing to deal with a tent anymore, leastwise canvas!
Dad would get up early and I'd still be in a sleeping bag and hear him pumping the stove, and would get up to the smell of his coffee and white gas. Still got the stove, runs great, still got the drop cloth from under the tent as well, and the old army shovel that was always with us, I take them all camping with me regularly.
This is the stuff that makes for good memories of camping, I really feel sorry for so many people that never have the chance to experience those things and to get their kids interested in the out of doors. I was thrilled when I got my first pocket knife, or dad would let me build the fire, not too thrilled with just how bad a fish hook can hurt however. I'm glad I got the chance to do this stuff as a kid....Doug
