The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1922-09-01
HIKING DOWN The.
LONG BROWN PATH
Vacationists With Shelter Tents
and Tin Cow Learning to
Walk All Over Again.


Obi It's not the pack that you carry on
your back
Nor the five inch crust Of khakl-coioreo
dust ,,, -
That makes you feel your limbs are
And rs not The hike on the hard turnpike
That drives away your smile t.a tr.
Nor the socks Of sisters that raise ING
blooming blisters-
It's 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 host OF
city folks disprove the theory OF a
future leg-enfeebled citizenry and are
learning to walk all over again.
To the more casual minded, the hike
is just exercise, but to those who
catch it's real significance the hike
means a great deal more. 1t Is the
cheapest form of recreation and
therefore appeals to those living IN
crowded districts and unable to avail
themselves of the more expensive
amusements. And these people, be
it noted, are just those the country
Is so anxious TO have spread out anu
settled in the farming sections. The
hike, indeed, has possibilities as
real starter for the back to the farm
movement.
Doughboy and Boy Scout Lead Way
Just a brief survey of the rollicking
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
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 lie
now compliments, but which he char
acterized when a doughboy as a
"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 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"
fright here" announces a freckled
( comrade of the road, patting 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 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 tangled firestand, etc, etc. The
1 blankets are laid out for a better
I packing of the bags and cans of food.
/ When the party commences to load
/ up the members bristle all over with
I camp tools and equipment.
/ Back to the Farm
! The veteran from the crowded city
! tenements has found new territory
/ to roam and one almost unknown 10
! 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 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, a rapid cutting down of tie
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 APP
peal In one apple tree in blossom than
in reams of printed matter put out to