Shoestring Travel: Free Things for Campers

A few weeks ago, at my local Goodwill, I found this awesome, (I think) out-of-print book by Jeffrey Weiss, touting "over 250 for enjoying the outdoors — yours for the asking at little or no cost!" And for just $0.49. Score.

Originally, I was drawn to the illustrations, which immediately sent my flying back in time to my childhood in the late '70s/early 80's, but as I flipped through this book in wonderment, I realized it was even more than a quirky throwback — it was an artifact proving how people saved money and got resourceful before the Internet and Google research.

I vaguely remember, especially as a Brownie during Girl Scouts, sending away for free things with a simple a "SASE" — self-addressed stamped envelope. Outside of infomercials, you don't hear much about SASE's anymore, but this book is full of tips and tricks for sending away for everything from free Smoky the Bear stickers to free plans for building your own tipi, many of them from stalwart oudoor institutions and retailers such as the Adirondack Mountain Club, the Sierra Club, American Youth Hostels Inc. (aka Hostelling International) and the Coleman Company.

A quick search revealed that some of these guides and freebies are now available postage-free by filling out forms on various websites, and many of these outdoor organizations offer daily blogs and weekly newsletters packed with invaluable (and free!) preparatory information for campers and others who love the outdoors.

But, this book still remains priceless, if for nothing else than the unintentional humor in its illustrations, some of which Meghan has graciously scanned and I've posted below.

Enjoy.

First of all, why are the fish in this lake/stream three times the size of the boy (and second of all, why is he peeing a fishing line?) Forget Nessie, I'm scared of Lure Boy, the amazing human fishing pole, even if he is already walking the plank to certain demise. Guess he forgot to request his free wilderness guide to fishing safety from the Cortland Line Company...

I never was much good at drawing. (I failed stick figures, hence no art school for me...) But, I think even I could do better at perspective than this illustrator. The fishes swimming head-on look more like something out of Swamp Thing than a simple carp or trout. You'll need more than a free wildlife guide from the US Forest Service to escape this beast's wrath. (I suggest staying out of the water entirely. From the looks of it, the fish are spitting algae bubbles/black eyed peas of the Attack of the Killer Tomatoes persuasion...)

All kidding aside: what are your favorite camping freebies and camping tips? Share them with us by posting a comment below!

~ Melissa

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