The border vidette., 1922-08-12
HIKING DOWN THE
 LONG BROWN PATH
Vacationists With Shelter Tents and Tin Cow Learning to
 Walk All Over Again.

| your back
 l Nor the rife on your shoulder, i Nor the i've inch crust of khaki-colored | That makes you feel your limbs are 1 growing older:
 That drives ' away i;: Your 70 IT" smile. ''' "p'''
 Nor the socks Of sisters that raise ths
 It's IiRR@niinS the insi R5i55efSM ian5 mile
 -PlsttSburgh Marching Song. Swinging out from the suburban transit terminals of New York every Sunday and holiday goes the army of khaki-cl,id hikers. There may be an automobile for every twenty of the
 country's population, but a host of city folks disprove the theory of a future leg-cnfeebled citizenry and are learning to walk all over again To the more casual Dinded, the hike Is just exercise, but to these who
 catch its real significance the hike means a great Geal more. It Is the
 cheapest form of recreation and therefore appeals to those Ewing in
 crowded districts and unable to avail themselves of the more expensive amusements. And these people, be 1t noted, are just those the country is so anxious 10 have spread out and settled In the farming sections The hike, indeed, has possibilities as a real starter for the "back to the farm" movement.
 Doughboy and Boy Scout Lead Way
 Just a brief survey of the rollickIns groups which move off from the out lying terminals on holidays estab- fishes few general types. There Is the ex-Service man and hls friends who will hear from him the story of more serious excursions on the muddy roads of France. He tight ems strap here and another there on the blanket roll adjustment or the "shelter haIf," In which the commis- sary Is packed for the midday feast by the roadside. Expert directions come from him on the method of slinging the pack so It will not feel so heavy or interfere with the free body movement. He will pass along the information gained in his army days, of how that same pack was evolved after numerous experiments to find the easiest way of carrying the heaviest load. With results he now compliments, but which he char acterized when a doughboy as a
 
 Then there are the boy scout paxS ties, adept at everything pertaining to "shanks mare" travelling and wood craft The ex-servIce man and. the boy scout are pioneers in the hiking game Listen to one of them right off the train and making ready for q twelve mile jaunt: "Get that can- teen over to the side, Jimmie, and It won't keep bouncing off your leg every step. Is It filled? Well, then, we drink. How about the eats? Let's check 'em off. You got the spuds, Bill the bacon Jimmie. Who has the coffee and the Borden tin cow?"
 Right here," announces a freckled comrade of the road, batting his knap- sack "Snitched the mocha and the can of milk when Sis wasn't looking"
 Well, then, let's go!" snaps the commander of the expedition.
 This party Is travelling light for real distance. Another must expect to make a shorter hitch or else be count Ing greatly on its power of endur- ance. Perhaps the camp Is not far off because the group is equipped for an overnight stay with heavy blanket rolls, hatchets, lanterns, canvas wa terpails, rubber ponchos, kettles, pots, new fangled fireStand, etc, etc. The blankets are laid out for a better packing of the bags and cans of food When the party commences to load up the members briStle all over with camp tools and equipment.
 Back to the Farm
 The veteran from the crowded city tenements has found a new territory to roam and one almost unknown to his associates. He Is introducing them to this newly discovered land and teaching them how to be independent of any transportation but their own good legs and of any subsistence but what they can carry and prepare. "Walk, and cook your own," Is his motto.
 Who will say the leaven thus fer menting in the city crowds will not bear fruit in q keener appreciation of country delights, especially as these are added to by increased comforts on the farm. With his radio hitched up, the farmer listens in on the best entertainment the country has to offer. Modern home devices wipe out many hardships formerly imposed upon isolated dwellers. There is, in short, a rapid cutting down of the l differentIal between farm and city life.
 In the meantime, knowledge must | precede true appreciation of what | the country holds, and this Is what | the hike supplies. There is more ap- | peal In one apple tree In blossom than | in reams of printed matter put out to | induce the citizen of the city to | IL