The San Francisco call., 1896-08-09
Tramps That Give
Appetite and
Health
In Shady Groves and
Over Dale and
Hill in Sunny
August

no other form of outdoor pleasure so uni
versally possible for women. Hunting,
boating, swimming, wheeling, riding, ten
MIS- golf-the whole list presupposes some
condition not universally present; but
every human being possessing two feet
and fair health ought to be able to walk
for pleasure Here in California we have
apparently cherished a superstition that
walking is not possible exercise. "You
will find you cannot walk here as you have
been in the habit of doing back East, !"
a woman physician said to me when L
first came to this coast, some years since.
AS matter of fact, have walked farther,
more constantly and more easily here in
California than l ever did elsewhere. Let
US disabuse our minds for good and all of
the notion that there is anything about
the glorious climate of California inimical
to peGes trianism.
There are peculiar inducements, espe-
cially about the bay, for tramping parties.
During the summer months, while the
trades are blowing tramps upon this side
are not wholly pleasant; but across the
bay, readily accessible to any good walker,
are canyons beyond number that invite
the tramper to their cool depths. August
is not the most beautiful season even in
the canyons, but it is perhaps the best
month in the year for visiting these spots.
The early springtime, if you are in
terested in the wild flowers, is the loveliest
of all seasons, but then you must not
linger. The ground, the green foliage, the
trees and shrubs are dripping, and the
tired tramper who seeks rest before NOV
ing on is liable to pay for it with
q cold. But in August even
the canyons are warm and dry,
while the streams, which a month
later will be running but feebly, are still
bright and sparkling The cattalls, in the
boggy places, are just beginning to turn.
The manzanita and madrona have donned
their brilliant coats of deep-red bark. The
tender green's of the new-growth redwood
are deepening into mature. dark lowell
ness, and the woodsy places are thick with
huckleberries and the backberries for
which our Californian woods are famous.
You may believe, with Thoreau, that no
one ever succeeded in getting a buckle
berry into town. but if you go for huckle-
berries you are likely to get something
better yet.
There are a number of elevations to
hpb bAO dAAolC0l per, DuI dS q RUE
at this time of year there is little to re-
ward the climber that may not be OBJ
tanned nearer and with less exertion. The
Mission Peak, Tamalpais, San Bruno
Grizzly Peak and Red wood Summit are
royalty worth climbing when the first |
rains have cleared the air, but during the
hazy summer and early autumn months, |
while the haze effects are wonderful and.
TO one familiar with the hill views at all
seasons, perhaps lovelier than any Others
the occasional clim Der usually feels disap-
pointed if, having reached an elevation
which he has been told commands view
over vast expanse of country, he finds |
himself looking off into a beautiful but
impenetrable purple and golden haze.
The woman who would enjoy.a COM
Portable tramp and come home therefrom |
comforted and refreshed should be dressed |
therefor. Toothpick shoes, tight waists |
and long skirts have no place in the |
tramper's outfit. A laced shoe is better
than one that buttons; low shoes, with |
CATERS, are superior to either, provided |
they have comfortable heels and toes and /
sole substantial enough to protect the |
loot from bruising stones and rough trails. |
Unless you are accustomed to a moder- |
ately thick sole, however, you will find |
them fatiguing. Ii your feet are tender |
flexible insole in shoe loose enough to |
admit it is easier than thick, stiff sole. |
A good way to tougher tender feet is to |
soak them at night in warm, strong solu-
ton of alum in water, and in the morning. |
before starting, to bathe them in cold |
water in which is little spirits of am
monia, about teaspoonful to two quarts
OF water. Dry your feet thoroughly before
dressing them.
Boomers, short skirt and a blouse
make the most comfortable walking suit.
Under the blouse should De worn snugly
fitting but not tight waist. 1t adds ma
terlally to comfort in grade-climbing. A
big hat is usually nuisance, as, also. a
walking-stick is apt to be. The latter.
moreover, unless you are essaying sitter
tramp than is usually to be had about San
Francisco, is a bit of an affectation.
jacket should always be carried, but it and
any other impedimenta with which Won
may be burdened should be carried upon
the shoulders. This is a rule you should
always observe if you wish really to benef fit
by your tramps. Go evenly weighted and
as lightly as possible. Ten pounds on a
mile track may serve to defeat a good
horse, and one pound carried on the arm
or in the hand on a tramp may serve to
spoil what would otherwise be glorious
trip.
Choose your companion on tramp
carefully. One member of the party who
is unable to keep the pace is sore trial to
strength and patience, for it is always
more fatiguing to lag than to go forward
Of course you take luncheon,
but if you are out for the benefit of your
health and the uplifting of your soul, re-
member that luncheon is an incident, not
he event of your trip, and make it as sim.
pie, as wholesome and as nourishing as
possible. Avoid taking variety of things, ,
Ind if you take fruit be sure it is perfectly
'ipe, and that there is not too much of it.
Nuts and raisins are better than fresh }
ruit for such occasions, and each member ,
If the party should carry her own !
luncheon. Never hurry. and, if you !
ire wise, you will avoid level |
Il.