It would be hard to say the FIRST - grew up camping my whole life, and actually, lines blur between ‘camping’ and home. We’ve LIVED in a tent, a chicken coop (albeit cleaned & remodeled), even a bus (Dad removed most of the seats, built a bed across the rear for him & Mom with a ‘crib’ built in at their head for my baby brother. My other brothers slept in a fold down bed on one side and my sister & I on the other side-seven of us lived in the bus for quite some time, cooked outside, took baths in a washtub, caught fish in the pond down the road…)
The first I clearly remember was when we traveled/camped from CA to my grandparents in FL in the mid-50s (I was 9-10). No motels or restaurants for us…Mom & we kids slept in the station wagon - Dad would stretch out on the rooftop, or a picnic bench if we were in a park. We cleaned and played in creeks and rivers the whole way; caught crawdads for a real treat. Got to spend 2-3 days visiting grandparents then headed back. We loved it, thought we were the luckiest kids in the world. Though they’re both long-gone, I’m forever grateful to my folks for the experiences.
I’m just as grateful that I was blessed with a husband that loves the outdoors as much as I do and that we were able to give our children similar experiences. We’ve camped at every level (in our vehicle, on the ground without shelter, tents, cabins, campers, RVs) and in all seasons and most terrains.
We’re in the middle of some remodeling as well as beginning our first build, so unable to locate photos right now. If able, will post some later.
Btw, Wild Bill, this is a great thread. Love reading others’ experiences.
Darlene