Getting a new sleeping bag was always fun. I liked the smell of them and the slippery, nylon feel to them as I slid in. Just about every week in the summer the gang was sleeping out somewhere. The most popular place was of course in our spacious, tree-lined backyard. I think it was because Mom always stocked us up for the night with jugs of Kool-Aid and tasty snacks to hold until morning. We were always up early, beating the sun's appearance and wandering about the neighborhood, occasionally getting into mischief even before our fathers left for work. The nights were filled with pre-teen escapades that are better left to memories. The best family camping trip was when we loaded up the station wagon and headed for an extended weekend to Camden Hills State Park. Mom and Dad borrowed a large wall tent from some neighbors for them and my sisters and my brother and I slept in our trusty pup tent. It was a fun week consisting of all our meals outside over a campfire, walks to the outhouse and showers in the dark, a hike up Mt. Battie and huge baseball games with nine players on each side, with fathers calling the balls and strikes and umpiring the bases. That was a wonderful week, and I believe it was the only time I remembered Dad taking a full week's vacation and spending everyday with us. He was a worker.
A pile of new, Coleman sleeping bags always reminds of our week away.
Can't speak for the others.
But for me, it was the best.
Family time.
ps. I still love my mummy... bag.
Family time is everything and definitely worthwhile. Good thoughts and memories. Greetings to you!
ReplyDeleteGreat memories! I never camped as a kid but did LOTS as a young adult with my own kids. Yep, I have fond memories too. ;)
ReplyDeleteI never enjoyed sleeping outside. Too many mosquitoes and too hot where I grew up, so one of my happiest days was when I finally got old enough that my parents said I could stay home when they went on their weekend fishing trips! I think I went camping once as an adult and after that decided to camp out only in nice hotels that had a pool and room service.
ReplyDeleteI did a lot of tent camping with my parents but, I was pretty much an adult when I did it. When we were young kids, mom and dad always got a cabin somewhere. I always enjoyed those camping trips.
ReplyDeleteSleeping bags? I used the thing once, I was still quite young, but it was enough...
ReplyDeleteI did a lot of camping growing up. Not as much now, but I've still got a nice sleeping bag on hand.
ReplyDeleteWe did a lot of camping growing up too Birdman but mostly in caravans .. Does that count as 'real' camping :)
ReplyDeleteFabulous reminiscence and tribute to your dad!
ReplyDeleteGive me a nice motel with a comfortable bed - thank you!
ReplyDeleteNever mind sleeping bags. I want blueberry pie. Or crumble. Or whatever. Anything with blueberries.
ReplyDeleteLove camping! And the half-baked pancakes and mud coffee. And the old mummy bag. As kids, we all fought over that one.
ReplyDeleteAfter a Boy Scout deep freeze outing, I never again trusted any bag that wasn't rated for -50 degrees F. :-)
ReplyDeletecamping out in your yard sounded so cool for you boys.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up was fun!
ReplyDeleteTar and feather me Bird. I"ve never slept in a sleeping bag. What's this world coming to. V
ReplyDeleteWe only did indoor camping. But I had a smurf sleeping bag that I loved!
ReplyDeleteWhat I can't figure out is why camping was such fun back then and is such a chore now
ReplyDeleteYou like the smell of sleeping bags? My memories are just the opposite. Sleeping bags are smelly things. I probably still have a few here, but they should go in a dumpster.
ReplyDelete