Camping before electronics

[GeneF]

Just wondering how many of you remember camping before tv's, dvd's, electronic games, laptops, etc.

I sometimes read some of the threads that people are going on a long trip and right away they are packing the dvd's, movies, laptops, eledctronic games or what not to keep the kids busy so they won't be disturbed.

Oh, I remember the "he's breathing my air," "she put her hand in my space," "he touched me," etc comments from the back seat.  I remember the dw making me stop the car and her taking the two kids out of the van and sitting them down and telling them that we can head home now or we can keep going if the two of you behave.  It was their decision that they pondered for a while.  

That did the trick, the two kids invented a game of two deck UNO that they played for the remainder of a 49 day trip and never finished the game.  Car bingo, books, singing as a family, talking about the day's adventures and planning the next day as a family kept us busy.

Books that we brought or the ones the DS bought on the trip with his money kept the noise in the back seat down.

At night, setting up the camper as a family, each with their own chores, sharing a campfire, meeting new friends to share a campfire with, catching some frogs out of a pond all became adventures for the four of us as a family.

I guess these are the memories I still enjoy now that the kids are grown and gone instead of trying to figure out what movie we watched last or who had the highest score on an electronic game.

Now I am talking about camping before cell phones and a time where you could still find a phone booth somewhere to call ahead to a campground to make a reservation.

Now when DW and I camp, we have a 30 foot trailer with a tv, laptop, cell phone, sofa, two swivel rockers, a queen size bed, our own full bathroom, fridge and freezer.  Yes, our style of camping has changed but we are seniors now and still enjoy a good book, playing cards together, taking a walk together, a campfire and sharing with friends and people we meet.

But, I am glad we did not have the above amenities with the kids as I think we might have lost some great family time.

I think I would rather have a heated discussion with my kids than watch them play a video game or watch a movie for a long time.  At least we would be communicating and solving some life issue.

[sacrawf]

Absolutely, Gene, these times produced some of the best memories.  I also remember when a tent was only something you went into if it was raining; real camping is to be done directly under the stars. The the idea was to get away from modern conveniences.  Even the view of an airplane contrail, a power line on the horizon, or the noise of a far-off Farmall tractor were unwelcome distractions. But, back then, all we did when camping was camping, hiking, fishing, shooting, swapping stories, and cooking over an open fire.

Today our camping may include visiting historical sites, museums, antique shops and coins shops, bicycle races or centuries, dining out, going to community theaters, geocaching, going to bookstores and unique shops, attending festivals, going to garden shows and greenhouses, etc., in addition to the traditional camping activities.  Having the modern conveniences enables us to pursue all of these interests longer by unteathering us from an office, and allows us to be safer, more efficent, and find interesting attractions that we would not have otherwise never known about. We now may take along GPS reciever, weather radio, metal detector, bicycle computers, fish finder, pocket radio, cell phone, FRS radios, TV/DVD combo, digital camera, laptop computer with air card, smartphone, and LED flashlight.

The electronics are just tools, and can either be used to enhance a safe outdoor experience or to provide distracting entertainment. It is our responsibility as parents or grandparents to show how to use them to enhance the outdoor experience instead of using them to block it out.

[GeneF]

Sacrawf

Enjoyed your modern reply of finding and enjoying other things with the electronic gadgets.  In fact, I enjoyed your whole reply.

True, the electronic stuff does come in handy but part of the fun of planning a long trip was researching the material through AAA travelguides, friends and relatives, travel guides at the library, sending away for info, stopping at rest areas to pick up brochures, reading and following a map and then having the fun of folding it up again.  Electronic stuff takes out some of the fun of the hunt.

I wonder what would happen if the typical family of four decided to take a weekend camping trip with NO electronics at all except only a cell phone for EMERGENCY use only but brought a deck of cards, a monopoly game or other board game to play as a family and some books to read.

I wonder if:

they might discover something about their family ties that they had lost

have a family conversation

they could discover how to truly relax without jumping up if a gadget beeps at them

they might learn something about themselves that they didn't realize.



 No, I am not entirely anti-electronic.  I do have a gps, laptop, pc, cell phone, large screen tv with three remotes, the Ford Synch in my Fusion, and I taught computers for about 15 years.

[Hargus]

Gene,

Great point. I'm always surprised and annoyed that how many people are on phones or you can hear them ringing as you stroll through the campground. I always get a map or triptik from AAA, I did used to go the library and send away for information but now I do use the internet for research. We bring board games and my son and I who just turned 9 do still dig in the dirt with cars and trucks. We spend time fishing (still learning) and other campground activities. Although we are guilty of bringing a TV for those rainy afternoons or late movies after the campfire.

Gene are you sure you and Terry are seniors?

[GeneF]

Gene,

Gene are you sure you and Terry are seniors?

LOL, actually, Terry and I feel a lot younger here in the 55+ community.

We entertained one couple who have been married for 5 years.  He is 87 and she is 75.

Another couple, both on their second marriage have been married 3 years.  Don't know the ages but he was married for 62 years and she was married 57 plus years.  He still opens the car door for her.

Hapiness is bliss and love is grand at any age.

[ilovecamping]

I can remember before we even owned a tent and were so broke we sold the AC, we didn't use it, out of our car and went via motorcycle for a few days to Branson.  We slept under a tarp that was hung over bungy cords stretched from a picnic table to the motorcycle.  It was a wonderful time.  I can remember taking our children in tents with only elec/water on site and they would hunt frogs, swim in the lake, fish, and have a great time.  They helped do dishes on a picnic table and helped cook meals on the fire.  I don't know why but it always sticks out in my memory of them brushing their teeth by the hand pump spigot.  Great memories!  As grandparents we take our DGD camping but it is a lot different.  We do have board games, dolls, card games, puzzles, books, sand to keep her entertained as well as tv, movies, and the such for late evening and bad weather days.  She isn't allowed to sit and use these anytime.  We keep a journal of all our trips and someday she will be able to look back and enjoy all the memories over and over again.

[garym053]

Gene,

Where WE camp in Wilson's Mills, ME, even Cell phones don't work!!

Been to Umbagog yet this year?

Have fun!

[cyclone]

I just saw this one - and Gene's description of travelling SO reminds me of trips when I was a child.  We still tend to skip most of the electronics when camping.  Cell phone is along (my dad is 82, and I'm not willing to be totally out of reach).  It also comes in handy for checking weather reports.  The hybrid has a DVD player which we have used a couple of times to watch movies when it was raining.  I read a lot, too.  Other than that, I would much rather be outside enjoying what nature has to offer.  When we were kids, the evenings always included playing games and a campfire.  TV?  Not hardly.  Now?  On the last trip, I found myself involved in a very competitive card game of "Swap" with friends.  We played until after dark, which made seeing those colors a bit difficult, but only contributed to much laughter.  That's what camping is all about.

I also research travel plans via computer now, too, but also will send off for information if it's a new area.  I still like to have that info - and I will include it in scrapbooks once the trip is over.  The GPS is a handy too, as well, and while we use it, I also like the atlas so I can have a more visual idea of the route.

[GeneF]

Gene,

Been to Umbagog yet this year?

Have fun!

Actually Gary, we cancelled our ressies at Umbabog and have decided to just do a few days over at Lake Frances (Our other special place in NH.)

We are also spending about a month in central NH, a 14 day Alaskan Cruise and Land Tour and a week in Vermont before we head to the Outer Banks and a slow trip back to Florida.  This will be about a 3 month trip for us.

We will miss Umbagog and this will be the first year I haven't been there in about 20 years.
Same for Acadia but our live's seem to have changed (for the better) and we just don't have the time to do all we want.

If my eyes open in the morning, then I know I am in for another great day.