Yes, what about it! It was one of the favorite things our family did. Our family was started back in 1947, however I don't remember us doing much camping until after 1954 when Dawn joined us. The one time I really remember was when she was about 2 years old or so. We had that little Hilman car. When we started out for the Big Sur camping areas we must have looked like we were moving altogether. That little car was so loaded, I am surprise we even made it up the highway without something breaking down. I suppose that was my doing. I always seemed to pack far more than we needed no matter where we were headed.
We didn't go into a State Camping Area. There were a number of them where we decided to stop, but Jay found this one along the creek. We drove down and set up the Tent. That would be the old one Dad and Mom used when I was little. It smelled of the material that made it waterproof. Nothing like the modern easy to raise tents most folks have these days. Jay set the camp stove up and our other gear. It was a great spot. We could hear the water as it made its way out to the ocean. The beach wasn't much to write home about, but the water was deep enough for us to paddle around in safely, all but Dawn that is.
Paul was playing in the water while Jay laid in the sun. He hadn't planned on swimming, he was just there keeping an eye on Paul. It was warm, he was relaxed, and I was up at the Tent area fixing lunch for the family. Dawn had just been there at the table. I got busy, Jay was by now dozing. We are greatful there were others around. Paul yelled: "No sister". He was too late. She had walked out into shallow enough water for a couple of steps then down she went as the water got too deep for her short legs. Paul was about 7 at the time. He wasn't able to reach her, her Dad was too far, as was I. Thankfully someone dove for her and brought her up sputtering for air. She did not sence the danger, she just wanted to have fun in the water with the rest. For the rest of our time there, she waited until we could hold her before she went into that creek. It was much too deep.
A side note might be worth adding here. Back then, you never saw all the floatation gear so common for todays aquatic kids. You can put a baby into deep water these days with all the gadgets available. Back then, they just were not heard of. Time? Probably 1956 - just before we went to the Temple to be sealed as a family.
The area we camped at was washed out sometime later. There is still camping, but not like we used than. The Cafe by the road is still there. In fact we have stopped a time or two and had lunch while on a trip north. Sad to have lost such a special camp ground. Of course so many of the Camp Grounds now have to be reserved way in advance if you want to spend time. More people now who have desire to enjoy the out of doors than when we were first doing it.
I guess our last and great trips were going to Paradise Point outside Indio, California. Jay had bought a boat and a camper for our pickup. We spent many a wonderful week-end vacation down there. That too is no longer like it was when we went. Floods seem to have come in after we were through with our visits. How fortunate we feel to have had such great experiences. We took friends and families down there to enjoy the water skiing and camping. I wouldn't change one of those trips for anything we could do today. Too many people trying to cram too much into too small a space of time.
I think I will remember the preparations that went into those trips longer than I will all the time we were camping. It was so much fun to figure out what to fix, and what to pack. I always seemed to get eat'n by all the bugs that never seemed to know anyone else was around. I think the "no seeums" at Paradise Point were the worst. I was told afterward if I would have rubbed bacon grease on myself, they would have left me alone. I am not sure I could have stood that remedy either.
On these particular trips we always took the little dogs with us. Sissy and Rusty. It was so hot down there, they would lay around in the grass and were so good. On the trip home, without air conditioning in the pickup, we would wet down towels and lay them on the front seat and cover them with another wet towel. They would have the benefit of the air blowing on the wet towels to keep them comfortable on the journey out of the desert. We did have a water unit that went in the window of the truck, but it was more bother than it was worth. Air Conditioning enjoyed today in all cars, trucks, van, etc. was not an option back then. Just goes to show how many things have improved over the years. If you never did without, you have no idea just how great these things are. As for myself, I wonder how we did it, and then, I am so glad we didn't know any different. We had such great times, and enjoyed nature and the boat so much. It wasn't fancy, but it was sure worth it. Change may be great, but it won't replace the good times we enjoyed as a family in the more rustic camping areas of those days. It wasn't roughing it, but it
certainly was a great deal different than how things are done now.
Written this 11th day of January 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
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