Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-11
WALKING AS A PAsTINE.
1t Is One Or The Very Best Ways oil
-. Spending a Brief Vacation.

Eugene Lamb Richards writes a paper in
the August number of the Century on
Walking as a Pastime." He thinks this is
one of the most interesting, healthful and
economical ways cf spending a vacation
ard he gives number of valuable hints TO
IL ose who have had little experience In
trampfng. Mr.. Richards says:
This mode of travel. beside being indie
pendent, has other ADVANTAGES No great
preparations are needed for O trip A vaca-
ton of few days can be utilized by a man
swinging his pack on his back, and going of
into the country. Owing to the continual
change Of abiding place. in three days it
often seems as il the traveller had been alb
sent a week.
Another advantage is the light expense
In all other travelling trips the cost of mere
lccomotion is a great item. BY walking
the change from place to place is made
without paying an eXpressman or hackman
and without any of those unavoidable cx-
penses which often make the cost of a trim
a matter of anxious thought.
The greatest advantage is the tonic effect
on the body and mind. This is due TO the
freedom from care and to the natural HE
the continual exercise in the open air
which stimulates the appetite and c~:sas
a great demand for food. The amount of
fC Cd consumed on one of these trips is gen
orally three tirnes what is taken at home.
The stimulating action on the skin, by the
constant flushing of the pores in con-
sequence of the exercise. and the baths
required to keep one clean, bring into a
state of healthy activity a part of ones
system generally neglected by those living
sedentary lives In the coolest weather
| often find, on closing a days tramp that
my undergarments are wet with perspira-
ton. Then, too, fatigue brings good sleep
Thus, with exercise, good food, free per
spira ton in fresh air and plenty of sleep, a
man takes natures best tonics
n N n he G1nnnSa1 tro ~
exercise only the legs and feet. If one car
ries pack, the upper part of the body and
especially the muscles which hold the Shout
der blades, are thoroughly exercised. The
back and the abdomen come in for their
share, so that when the trip is over and
one goes about without his pack, II is not
very hard to walk erect.
If a man wishes to begin the practice of
tramping, / should advise him to take at
first daily walks of at least four miles.
After little hardening of the muscles in
this way, he should try the experiment of
going for the whole day with a bag or
knapsack; and, after a week or more, for
three days. With this preliminary training
the candidate for walking will be ready for
longer tramp. But, above all things, let
the beginner not do too much at once.
After tasting the good effects of walking /
am quite sure that If man has any love
for nature in his soul, and any admira-
ton for the beauties of scenery, he will not
willingly forego the pleasure of tramping
whenever he has opportunities to enjoy it.
There are certain particulars in the care
! of the person, both on the tramp and after
the walk of the day is over, the advan-
tages of which / was long in learning In
the first place, on long tramp / make
It principle to start out early, never doing
more than twenty miles the first day.
Walking with novices, endeavor to begin
in the afternoon, II possible, SO as to give
rest to their weary muscles after only a few
hours of exercise. The third day is always
the trying one; 1t seems to take about
| seventy-two hours to get to the critical
point Of fatigue. / have never known any
one to pass the third day, and keep on
walking. without making q successful pedes-
trian, and every man who has failed In q
walk has failed the third day.