The patriot. (Glenmora, La.) 1918-1955, 1922-07-28
HIKING DOWN The
LONG BROWN PATH
eacationists With Shelter Tents
and Tin Cow Learning to
Walk All Over Again.


Nor the rifle on your shoulder,
Nor the ave inch crust of khaki-colored
That makes you feel your limbs are
growing older;
And it's not the hike on the hard turnpike
That drives away your smile,
Nor the socks Of sisters that raise the
blooming blisters-
It's the last long mile.
-Plattsburgh Marching Song.
Stringing ont from the suburban
tra..sit terminals of New York every
sunday and holiday goes the army Of
;hali-clad hikers. There may be an
automobile for every twenty of the
countrys population, but host Of
city folks disprove the theory Of a
Clture lpr-enfecbled citizenry and are
earning 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 "a great deal more. 1t is the
cheapest form Of recreation and
therefore appeals to those living in
themselves Of the more expensive
auusements. And these people, be
II noted, are just those the country
4; so anxious to have spread out and
settled in the farming sections. The
Like. indeed. has possibilities as q
rpal starter for the back to the farm
.aoyem2at.
fpoushboy and 5oy Scout Lead Way
Just n brief survey of the rollicking
groups which moye off from the out2
wing terminals on holidays estab-
fishes a 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 mid day feast
by the roadside Expert directions
core from him on the method OF
singing the pack so it will not feel
SO heavy or interfere with the free
body movement. He viii 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
actcrizcd when n doughboy as a
''blankety- total failure"
Then there are the boy scout par
ties, adept Mt everything pertaining
to "shanks mare travelling and wood
craft. The e1-seryice man and the
hey scout are pioneers In the hiking
game Listen to one of them right
CT the train ard making ready for u
twelve mile jaunt: "Get that cam
teen over to the side, Jimmie, ana
il won't Keep bouncing off your leg
every step. Is 1t filled2 Well, then,
we drink. How about the eats? Let's
check 'em eff You got the spuds,
Bill: the bacon Jimmie. Who has the
coffee and the Borden tin cow?'
fright here" announces a. freckled
cbmraae pi. the road. patting his KNAPP
sack. Switched tie mocha. and the
can Of milk when Sis wasn't looking"
"Ee;l, then. let's gor' snaps the
commander Of the expedition.
This party i; travelling light for real
distance. Another must expect TO
Eetse shorter hitch or else be count
ing greatly On its power of endur-
naee. Perhaps the camp is not far
pff-becaGse the group Is equipped for
an overnight stay with heavy blanket
rolls, matches, lanterns, canvas wa
ternails, 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 ever 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.
.'waIk, and cook your own" is his
motto.
Who will say the leaven thus fer
mentlng 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
up. the farmer listens In on the best
entertainment the country has to
offer. Modern home devices wipe oyt
many hardships formerly imposed
upon isolated dwellers. There is;s in
short. rapid cutting down of the
difrerential between farm and city
life.
In the meantime, knowledge must
preeede a true appreciation of what
ihe country holds, and this is what
tlsA hike supplies. There is more APP
peal in one apple tree In blossom than
in reams of printed matter put ont to
induce the citizen of the city to
change his abode TO the country The
hfl,aro cnnstituta growing army