My path was a bit different, one pack in 69, one in 71, late 73 I moved to a new town and everyone collected cards. And flipped, and traded... So cards it was.
Got into cards and sports at a great time.
Anyne remember the year, maybe 74-5? Hockey cards had bananna flavored gum for a short time.
Somehow my town in western Mass got a few 75 minis.
Moved to another new town more city like, asked a kid in class if he knew anyone with older baseball cards, and was surprised when he said there was an entire store that was mostly older cards.
That became sort of a hangout, and just in time for the big number of cards that came out in 77- 78. So many sets to collect!
First show I went to in early 78 Their table was the first inside the door.
Stopped and started looking and the guys told me to go look at other tables, they didn't have anything I didn't see at their store!
Imagine a dealer shooing someone away because it was better for that collector and the hobby in general.
I have other hobbies, and periods of relative inactivity usually after prices went up, or I couldn't find much at local shops.
But I never really stopped.
(haven't really stopped any of my hobbies, but have been inactive for decades in a few.)