Classic Coleman Cooler and other thrifted finds

As soon as I saw the unmistakenable blue and noticed it was in next to mint condition I knew I had to take it home with me. My parents bought one exactly like it back in 1968. It was our first foray into Canadian camping rather than British caravanning. They bought a camping package deal from either the Sears or Eatons catalogue, containing a canvas tent, five sleeping bags, five airmattresses, air pump and set of dishes, plates bowls cups for five people.

We did a trial run, from our home in Prince Rupert BC to Terrace. Before going to the campground we went to the hardware store of the day, I'm sure Canadian Tire was unheard of, and bought a green Coleman cookstove and this cooler.

Our real trip was a two month odessey down into the States. We took the ferry to Vancouver island. From Victoria we took another ferry to Seattle, drove down the coast road, stopping in the redwood forest to gawk at the giant trees. These big trees had particular significance to me because we had recently seen the Gnome Mobile a film about two British kids and their hilarious adventures with the little people of the California Redwood Forest. We stopped in San Francisco to visit one of my Dads brothers, my Chinese Grandmother, taste her unforgetable cooking and ride a cable car. In Los Angeles we stayed with another of my Dads brothers. He lived on Manhatten beach, had colour TV and he took us to Disneyland.

We had that cooler for several summers. One day my Dad forgot to lock it away into the boot of the car before we went exploring. Of course when we got back it was gone. I don't know if he was so much upset that he had lost the cooler or the beer he had chilling on the block of ice.

I bought this one home today and after photographing it from every angle I decided to use it as a temporary place to store my yarn stash. I envision taking it on all our car camping and picnic trips this summer as well as putting it out on the deck, full of ice and cold drinks, for the many parties I'm going to host when the damn snow melts