Date:         Fri, 13 Nov 1998 09:10:04 -0500
Reply-To:     Bulley-Hewlett & Associates <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Bulley-Hewlett & Associates <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      Hygene alternative, was: Showers Redux
Comments: To: BILL <billv2@PRODIGY.NET>,
          "vanagon@VANAGON.COM" <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>

Just a thought on showers/hygene while camping.

You know showers are a fairly recent invention? Only about 70-80 years old.
How did folks get clean?

A friend of the family owns a tomato ranch/orange farm on the West coast of
Baja California, Mexico. The ranch once (during prohibition-WWII?) served a
"hide away" for the rich and famous. The habitation is somewhat crude,
based on the fact that it was built in the early part of this century, in
an in-hospitable environment. There are no showers or running water in the
guest quarters.

Instead, just like your grandparents or great grandparents did, a wash
pitcher and large wash bowl was established in each room. In the morning, a
lady would roll a cart carrying a HUGE pot of hot water, and would refill
the wash pitcher. If you wanted to bathe, THIS was the only method.

My dad had to teach me (I guess I was 8 or 9 years old) how to take a
"sponge bath". The method was reinforced by field training while in the
Marine Corps (you remember "washing up in a canteen cup", don't you?)

We use this same method in our Westy. Place towels on the floor in front of
sink. Hot pot of water on the stove. Pour half into the sink, mixing with
cool water. Scrub the face, neck, ears, torso, legs, arms, then hair with
scant, but adequate soap. We use Zest, as it rinses easily.

Rinse off with damp wash cloth from sink. Wash the remaining "scuzzier"
parts of the body in the same manner. Rinse again with water from sink.
Drain sink.  Refill sink with remaining hot water. Rinse hair and body
again. Shave. Drain sink. Towel off briskly

We have used this method for years. Works great, and like all of the other
"simple" pleasures of camping (being cold, sleeping on a skimpy mattress,
etc.), it makes you appreciate a REAL shower all the more.

Gotta go now. I'm all signed off. See ya.

gmb