Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1922-08-22
HIKING DOWN THE
LONG BROWN PATH
vacatIonIsts With Shelter Tents
and Tin Cow Learning to
1 Walk All Over Again.

OH MS not TIE pack that you oarry On
u: Net - = Az re -. < ssss Z
TAat makes you feel your limbs are
growing older: -
And IFS not the hike on the hard turnpike
That drives awey ycur , ,Sas r.,.. N.
bloeming blistsrs-
-Plattsburgh Marching Song.
etringing out from the suburban
transit terminals Of New York every
Sunday and holiday goes the army Of
hikers. There may be an
automobile fer every twenty Of the
country's population. but a host Of
city folks disprovs the theory OF .
future leg-enfsebled citizenry and are
learning to walk all over again.
Ts the more casual minded, the hike
u Just exercise, but to those whs
catch its real Significance the hike
means q great deal more 1t IL the
cheapest form Of recreation and
therefore appeals to those living in
crowded districts and unable to avail
themselves Of the more expenstve
amusements. And these people, bs
4 neted, are just those the country
u 20 anxious to have spread out and
ssttled in the farming sections The
hike, indeed, has possibilities a. q
real starter for the back to the farm"
movement.
peuehbey and Boy Scout Lead Way
Just q brief survey Of the rollicking
sroups which move of from the out
hing terminals on holidays estab-
fshes few general types. There II
the ex-ssrvice man and his friends
who will hear from him the story
Of more serious excursions on the
muddy roads Of France. He tight
ems q strap here and another there
On the blanket roll adjustment or the
shelter half" In which the commits
sary Ii packed for the midday feast
BY the roadside. Export directions
come from him on the method Of
singing the pack 30 It will not feel
- 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 q doughboy a q
s'blankety-blank total failure"
Then there are the boy scout par
tiss. 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 e them right
OF the train and making ready fer q
twelve mile jaunt: Get that can
teen over to the side. Jimmie, and
It won't keep bouncing Of your leg
every step. Is 1t filled? Well, then,
we drink. How about the sats7 Let's
check 'em of. You got the spuds,
Bill; the bacon Jimmie. Who has the
coffee and the Borden tin cowr'
Fright here" announces a freckled
comrads Of the road, patting his KNAPP
sack. Switched the mocha and the
can Of milk when Sis wasn't looking"
"Well, then, let's goi" snaps the
commander Of the expedition.
This party il travelling light fer real
distance. Another must expect to
make q shorter hitch or else be count
ing greatly on its power Of endur-
snce. Perhaps the camp Is not far
of because the group is equipped for
an overnight stay with heavy blanket
rolls, hatchets, lanterns, canvas wa
terpails, rubber ponches, kettles, pots,
new tangled frestand, etc, etc. The
blankets are laid out for q better
packing Of the bags and cans Of food.
When the party commences to load
up the members bristle all over with
camp teels and equipment.
Back . the Farm
The veteran from the crowded city
tenements has found a new territory
10 roam and enc 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 swn
good legs and Of any subsistence but
what they can carry and prepare.
Walk, and cook your own" IL his
motto.
Who will say the leaven thus fer
menting In the city crowds win not
bear fruit in a 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, rapid cutting down Of the
differential between farm and city
life.
49, thS ASaAhAhSy hASW NQ8C uW8t
precsds a 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 growing army,
equipped with bacon, spuds, coffee
and tin COW for merely a 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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PEERLESS