I love to camp. I grew up camping. My mom and dad backpacked and camped in a little pup tent when I was just a baby. Then they bought a used Springbar® tent made by Kirkham’s in Salt Lake City. The tent was a rental that was being surplused but was still in great shape. Ever since that day many of my memories of camping included our blue Springbar tent.One of the memories burned into my brain is the ability of my dad and I to put up our Springbar tent in the time that it took most families to just sort out the poles and start stringing them through the nylon tent shell. I loved that tent and the ease by which it was pitched. It was simplicity in physical form.
Well I grew up, got married, and have been camping in other tents ever since. I always have longed for a Springbar tent to call my own. Every once in a while I would look on Ebay, craigslist, or in the classifieds for someone selling a Springbar. Funny thing was they were nowhere to be had. I could find any other tent available, but never the desired Springbar.
A couple months back I really began to get curious and went to the Kirkham’s website. I knew these tents were expensive and since we don’t camp a ton I could never seem to justify such an extravagant purchase. The website directed me to another website full of satisfied Springbar tent owners who had posted pictures (both recent and decades old) of their tents. Some of these tents were 30 years old and still performing as if they were brand new.
It was then that I considered asking my dad to turn over the old Springbar that is undoubtedly gathering dust in a storage room in Chicago. I knew there weren’t any camping outings happening in the flat plains that make up the middle of this nation; especially since my dad’s back isn’t what it used to be. But I just couldn’t justify me getting the tent when all five of us children have equally satisfying memories of that tent.
Then along came the biggest “cash advance” in history. I am talking about the “Economic Stimulus Payment” awarded to nearly every taxpayer. So I received a direct deposit into my checking account for which I will undoubtedly have to pay for some day in the future. Suddenly there was money in the bank that wasn’t spoken for.
We then went camping in a dome tent over Memorial Day with my sister- and brother-in-law. That night we got rained on and the tent flooded. The rain didn’t stop that morning and so we shoved the tent in the back of the van and headed home. That was the final straw. I wanted a tent that was simply to pitch, water tight not “waterproof”, and tough enough to withstand the three kids’ antics.
So the purchase request was submitted to the President of Family and Home Operations (aka my wife Cynthia) for the purchase of my long pined-for tent. There was a brief protest followed by submission as she realized that I rarely ask to buy anything. So I purchased my Springbar ‘Family Camper 7’ tent online in 5 minutes’ time. This tent is bigger than the one I grew up using. It sleeps 8 in its roomy 10’ by 14’ footprint. Upon checkout I realized there was no need for me to be stimulating the economy of Kirkham’s. I was informed that my order placed on June 1st would not be available until July 20th.
Well I was notified on July 15th that my tent was ready. I was in Salt Lake for work that day and made a detour to pick up my tent because I couldn't wait any longer. The next night found me unpacking the tent and pitching it in my front yard for the first time. I put this tent up by myself in about 15 minutes. Well I guess Ilene and Hallie helped hammer some of the stakes under my supervision.
What have they done to this tent in the 30+ years since the one my dad purchased was made? Well not much. The canopy that was often rolled up to the top of the tent when not in use now can be zipped off. They had added more windows to the tent, the tent poles have metal tops rather than rubber, and the color of the canvas in now a light green instead of a light blue. I guess you can’t really improve on perfection.
Well I grew up, got married, and have been camping in other tents ever since. I always have longed for a Springbar tent to call my own. Every once in a while I would look on Ebay, craigslist, or in the classifieds for someone selling a Springbar. Funny thing was they were nowhere to be had. I could find any other tent available, but never the desired Springbar.
A couple months back I really began to get curious and went to the Kirkham’s website. I knew these tents were expensive and since we don’t camp a ton I could never seem to justify such an extravagant purchase. The website directed me to another website full of satisfied Springbar tent owners who had posted pictures (both recent and decades old) of their tents. Some of these tents were 30 years old and still performing as if they were brand new.
It was then that I considered asking my dad to turn over the old Springbar that is undoubtedly gathering dust in a storage room in Chicago. I knew there weren’t any camping outings happening in the flat plains that make up the middle of this nation; especially since my dad’s back isn’t what it used to be. But I just couldn’t justify me getting the tent when all five of us children have equally satisfying memories of that tent.
Then along came the biggest “cash advance” in history. I am talking about the “Economic Stimulus Payment” awarded to nearly every taxpayer. So I received a direct deposit into my checking account for which I will undoubtedly have to pay for some day in the future. Suddenly there was money in the bank that wasn’t spoken for.
We then went camping in a dome tent over Memorial Day with my sister- and brother-in-law. That night we got rained on and the tent flooded. The rain didn’t stop that morning and so we shoved the tent in the back of the van and headed home. That was the final straw. I wanted a tent that was simply to pitch, water tight not “waterproof”, and tough enough to withstand the three kids’ antics.
So the purchase request was submitted to the President of Family and Home Operations (aka my wife Cynthia) for the purchase of my long pined-for tent. There was a brief protest followed by submission as she realized that I rarely ask to buy anything. So I purchased my Springbar ‘Family Camper 7’ tent online in 5 minutes’ time. This tent is bigger than the one I grew up using. It sleeps 8 in its roomy 10’ by 14’ footprint. Upon checkout I realized there was no need for me to be stimulating the economy of Kirkham’s. I was informed that my order placed on June 1st would not be available until July 20th.
Well I was notified on July 15th that my tent was ready. I was in Salt Lake for work that day and made a detour to pick up my tent because I couldn't wait any longer. The next night found me unpacking the tent and pitching it in my front yard for the first time. I put this tent up by myself in about 15 minutes. Well I guess Ilene and Hallie helped hammer some of the stakes under my supervision.
What have they done to this tent in the 30+ years since the one my dad purchased was made? Well not much. The canopy that was often rolled up to the top of the tent when not in use now can be zipped off. They had added more windows to the tent, the tent poles have metal tops rather than rubber, and the color of the canvas in now a light green instead of a light blue. I guess you can’t really improve on perfection.
[Drum roll]….Without any further ado, I present my Springbar Family Camper 7 tent in all of its glory!! Yes I took pictures as I pitched my tent…yes I know that does make me a total geek.
9 comments:
So does that mean Mom and Dad's tent is open for the taking?
Okay, I got the piano. I figure someone else can get the tent.
Funny, I always thought the OTHER families' tents were cooler. Little did I know our blue monster was by far the best tent in the campsite.
10 x 14 ! WOW! That's bigfger than my bedroom. It really looks nice, Paul. Hope you guys get to use it a lot. The canvas looks heavy duty. Should do you good service for many, many years.
Nice tent. Your right about the tent you remember as a kid - it's here in this house in Chicago, but for the life of me I don't know where. They are great tents. If one of you kids has a way of picking it up from here, it's yours (I'm assuming Mom knows where it is). However, after 35+ years the canvas might be getting a bit questionable.
One correction - I bought the tent from Kirkham's, not BYU. At least 35 years ago, Kirkham's rented out tents, and then sold the rentals at the end of the season. Being a student, it was the only way I could afford a Springbar. However, even used it has held up for many years.
That is a cool tent Paul. I've used a heavy canvas springbar tent one time and thought it was the greatest thing ever. they are so roomy. I hope it gets lots of use.
Carolyn#2
*blinks* Wow Somebody more geeky than me about a camping item! Way to go Paul! I bet my tent is bigger than yours! :) *shrugs* I can fit my queen air mattress and two baby play pens and still have room to walk. It has to closets that i can stand upright in. Not one spot in my tent do I have to stoop over so I don't hit my head on nylon. Canvas would be really cool instead of nylon though.
Paul, I think I might have to get me one of those too!!! I remember watching dad put that tent up (key word "watching"...he never wanted help). I didn't know they made them anymore....it's a tent I am sure even I can put up by myself. I will have to get a broom and continue the "dad ritual" or folding and sweeping, folding and sweeping....you know it is the only reason why that tent has lasted so long! :-)
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
Thanks for your post-it has convinced me to buy the same tent for me and my 4 boys (and wife when she doesn't need the break).
I can attest to the longevity of this wonderful tents. My parents got our Springbar tents in 1977 and it has stood the test of time, and when I say tents, I mean three separate units that all connect together to make a small house with a 12 x12 floorless living space and two two-man sleeping rooms. I've had the structure for 15 years, and I'm only now sending it to Salt Lake for a few zipper and screen repairs. Needless to say, I can vouch that you have made a lifetime investment. Enjoy!!!
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