In the back of our garage is a small enclosed utility trailer which has been sitting there for 25 years following 4 additional years of sitting in another city. The tires have been flat for at least half of those years. Perhaps it’s time to drag it out, clean it up, and sell it to someone who can make use of it.
When I opened it up a couple of days ago, a flood of warm memories washed over me. Inside is a box of our camping supplies: nested cooking set, silverware, cups, a small metal percolator. There is a laundry bag with towels, dish cloths, ponchos. Our Coleman lantern and stove, some canvas cots. The smell of the contents is as it always was and triggered the memories.
We camped many, many times each spring, summer, and fall for at least 15 years. Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana were among the states in which we pitched our tent. Our 10X14 cabin tent had plenty of room for four cots and a lawn chair or two. The tent is still good and is nearly 40 years old. We use it for overflow guests when on vacation.
Many work and church friends enjoyed camping as much as we did; we seldom went camping alone. Late night campfires under the stars as the little ones slept in our circle of tents … what more can be said.
I hope some family can make use of our trailer. It was such an improvement over our car-top carrier for holding all the gear plus sleeping bags. There are new tires, and I shall get the bearings repacked before I list it.
We’ll see what happens.
Tags: camping, family life
In a dim light... 
July 1, 2010 at 3:39 pm |
One of many memories that has given birth to our own traditions. Thank you.
February 7, 2014 at 6:55 pm |
Some lovely images here Tom, especially “late night campfires under the stars as the little ones slept in our circle of tents.”