Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1922-07-27
l|kING DOWN THE
LONG BROWN PATH
vacationists With Shelter Tents
and Tin Cow Learning to
I Walk All Over Again.

That makes you feel your limbs are
An nj les not the hike On the hard turnpike
NOT the socks Of sisters that raise the
blooming blisters-
Its the last long mile.
-Plattsburgh Marching Song
Stringing out from the suburban
transit terminals Of New York every
Sunday and holiday goes the army of
khaki-clad mixers. There may be an
automobile for every twenty of the
country's population, but a host Of
city folks disprove the theory Of q
future -enfeebled citizenry and are
learning to walk ali over again.
To the more casual minded, the hike
Is just exercise, but to those who
catch Its real significance the hike
means great deal more. It is the
cheapest form Of recreation and
therefore appeals to those living in
crowded districts and unable to avail
themselves Of the more expensive
amusementR. And these people, be
1t noted, are Just those the country
10 so anxious to have spread out and
settled in the farming sections The
hike, indeed, has possibilities as q
real starter for the back to the farm
movement.
Deuohbey and Bey Scout Lead Way
Just a brief survey Of the rollcking
groups which move off from the out
lying terminals on holidays estab-
fishes few general types. There Is
the ex-service man and his friends
who will hear from him the story
Of more serious excursions on the
muddy roads Of France. He tight
ems a strap here and another there
on the blanket roll adjustment or the
shelter half" In which the commits
sary Is packed for the midday feast
by the roadside. Expert directions
come from him on the method OF
singing the pack so It will not feel
80 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 doughboy as
"blankety-blank total failure"
Then there are the boy scout par
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 a
twelve mile jaunt: Get that cam
teen over to the side, Jimmie, and
it won't keep bouncing off your leg
every step. Is 1t filled7 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?''
fright here" announces freckled
comrade of the road, patti1g his KNAPP
sack. Switched 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 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, matches, lanterns, canvas wa
terpails, rubber ponchos, kettles, pots,
new tangled 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
tenement has found 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 keener appreciation Of
country delights, especially as these
are added to by increased comforts
on the farm. With his radio hitched
entertainment the country has to
offer. Modern home devices wipe OUT
many hardships formerly imposed
upon isolated jewellers. There is, in
short, a rapid cutting down of the
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
change his abode to the country. The
mixers constitute sroNiHS dTlhy1
equipped with bacon, spuds, coffee
and tin COW for merely days outing
but nevertheless seeing sights that
make them yearn to be among them
all the time. 1t Is not too much to
assume that the army may one day
recruit the open places.
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