The Natchitoches enterprise., 1922-08-03
HIKING Down THE I
LONG BROWN PATH
Vacationists With Shelter Tents
and Tin Cow Learning to
Walk All Over Again.

OH It's not ct the pack that you carry o"
Nor the rine on your shou.'cr.
Nor the five inch crust Of khnki-coloTed
dust
That makes you feel your limbs arc
growing older:
And its not tho hike on the hard turnpike
Nor the socks OF sisters that raise the
bloom ng blisters-
IT'S the last long mile.
--Plattsburgh Marching Song.
Stringins out from the suburban
transit terminals of New York every
Sunday and holiday goes the army vt
khaki-clad hikers. There may be IN
automobile for every twenty of the
countrys population, but a host of
city folks disprove the theory OF a,
future leg -enfecbled cltiZenry and are
learning to walk all 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. 1t is the
cheapest form Of recreation and
therefore appeals to those living in
themselves OF the more expensive
amuSementS. And these people be
it noted, are just those the country
Is SO anxious to have spread ont and
settled in the farming sections. The
hike, indeed, has possibilities as Il
real starter for the back to the farm"
movement.
Douohboy and Boy Scout Lead Way
Just n brief survey of the r"lli'kiny
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 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
come from him on the method of
singing the pack so ii 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
the heaviest load. With results he
now compliments. but which he char
acterized when doughboy as
''bla nkety blank total failure"
Then there are the boy scout pnr-
ties. adept ut 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
twelve mile taunt: Get that cam
teen over to the side. Jimmie, and
It won't keep bouncing of your leg
every step. Is 1t filed? Well, then,
we drink. How about the eats? Let's
check 'em of You got the spuds,
BiN the bacon Jimmie. Who has the
coffee and the Borden tin cow
fright here" announces a frcckled
comrade OF the road, patting his KNAPP
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 shorter hitch or else be count
ing greatly ON Its power Of cndur-
ance. Perhaps the camp Is not far
or because the group Is equipped for
an overnight stay with heavy blanket
rolls, hatchptS, lanterns, canvas wa.
terpails rubber ronchos. kettles, pots,
new tangled firestnnd. etc. etc. The
blankets are laid out for better
packing Of the bags and cans Of food
When the party commences to load
up the members bristlc all over with
camp tools and equipment.
Back to the Farm
The veteran from the crowded city
tenements has found 4 new territory
to roam and one almost unknown to
his associates Tie 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 nf
country delights, especially as these
are added to by increased comforts
on the farm. With his radio hitcled
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, rapid cuttin: down OF the
difrercntial between farm and city
life.
In the meantime knowledge mus.
precede a true appreciation a what
the country holds, and this Is what
the hike supplies. There is more ar-
pcnl in one apple tree in blossom than
In reams Of printed matter pu, out to
induce the citizen Of the city to
change his abode to the country. The
mixers constitute growing army.
equipped with bacon, spnds coffee
and tin COW for merely days outn,
but nevertheless seeing sights that
make them yearn to he anon. them
all the time 1t Is not too much 10
assume that the army may cDe day