House Cars

Tin Can Tourists

I used to think the name meant Airstream travel trailers. Growing up around upstate South Carolina we used to visit the mountains in the upstate to cool off in the summers. There was an RV park built on semi-flat former farm land next to an icy cold mountain river that allowed only Airstream trailers to camp there.

From a vista over 1000 feet above the park, we could see the Airstreams all lined up in their camp with the sunshine brightly bouncing off their rounded aluminum exteriors. My father would say "It looks like a row of tin cans!"

Over the years, hearing about Tin Can Tourists I assumed (wrongly) that it was an Airstream only club. See where assumptions get me into trouble? Tsk tsk tsk...

Recently I read about the history of the Tin Can Tourists, the nation's first camping club which organized in 1919 in Florida.

Reality; The group was known for the soldered tin can on their radiator caps.

Well, who'd a thunk it?

I never would have guessed that!

Anyone was (and is) able to join the club.

These creative campers shown in the pics below were referred to as "House Cars".

 Amazingly many of the features on these House Cars can be found in modern campers, caravans, motorhomes and other assorted recreation and residential vehicles.

The storage compartments on this rig look so similar to those on my current wheel estate.

More pictures and information  about the Tin Can Tourists can be found here.

Sometimes I wish I could blast myself back in time to a simpler era where upgrades and updates meant soldering a tin can on your radiator cap.

Well I'd love to hang around here all day, but I have to get my own House Car in order.

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Thank you to all the amazing angels who make my life brighter.
I woke up alive and life is goof.
Thank you to my gentle readers for cruising by today.
Be safe.
Be well.
Smile and laugh (it's free, it's simple, it's fun and it feels terrific.)