Oh man, I really want to go to this, but I don't think I can get away. Tin Can Tourist Sites are really cool - they get their start in the early 1900's as the US road system is being built and cars are becoming cheaper. It becomes the embodiment of the American Dream - the ability, at a moment's notice, to travel to any destination under your own power (vehicular power) and travel to unknown places (mainly National and State Parks - which are also taking shape at the same time). The name comes from the tin cans used in the long distance traveling. Later, with the advent of the airplane age, sleeker all aluminum trailers are made and the tin can begins to represent the metal trailer hitched to the car. Even further later, these turn into RV's and such, and we welcome them on the Florida campus for every home football game (Yes, tailgating comes directly from the Tin Can Tourist phenomenon in the early 20th Century).
I guess I will start planning for next year!
(Image by: Gainesville Sun's Staff Photographer, Doug Finger)
good to see you here!
ReplyDeleteThanks - you know, trying to get with the 21st Century and all...
ReplyDeleteVery cool article. In a way, we've become tin can tourists, only without the airstream, but with a pop up camper that fits in the bed of the truck. Then, away we go - mostly to state and national parks. Anything nature! If you want to follow us, we've started a blog about our camping adventures too - http://touringtheamericas.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI'm still in the process of adding things to it, so it is somewhat bare, but it's a good start!
If you stock your trailer or pop-up camper with any portable dry goods, then you might be a tin can tourist!
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