The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1922-08-08
HIKING DOWN The
LONG BROWN PATH
vacationists With Shelter Tents
and Tin Cow Learning to
Walk All Over Again. il.

Oh! It's not thu pack that you carry on
Nor this, 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
| Nor the socks Of sisters that raise the
re-. blooming 4So q; b sdnt s,,.
-PAttsburgh Marching Song.
Stringing out from the suburban
transit terminals of New York every
Sunday and holiday goessthe army of
khaki-clad mixers. There may be- an
| automobile for, every twenty Of the
country's population, but host Of
| city f,,lks disprove the theory of q
future leg-enfeebled citizenrys and are
| learning to walk all over again.
| To the more casual minded, the hike
| IL 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
| crowded districts and unable to avail
themselves Of the more expensive
amusements. And these people, be
1t noted, are just those the country
IL so anxious to have spread out and
| settled in the farming sections. The
hike, indeed, has possibilities as a
real starter for the back to the farm"
| movement.
Doughboy and Boy Scout Lead Way
Just 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 strap here and another there
on the blanket roll adjustment or the
shelter half" in which. the commits
sary Ia packed for the midday feast
by the roadside Expert directions
! come from him ON the method of
singing the pack so 1t will not feel
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 loadN With results he
now compliments. but which he char
acterized when doughboy as q
''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
1t won't keep bouncing off your leg
every step. Is 1t filed? Well, then,
we drink. How about the eats? Let's
check 'em of. You got the spuds.
Bill /; the bacon Jimmie. Who has the
coffee and the Borden tin cow7''
fright here" announces 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 gor' 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 Ii not far
Off because the group 10 equipped for
an overnight stay with heavy blanket
rolls, matches. lanterns, canvas wa
terpails. rubber ponchos, 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 tools and equipment.
Back to the Farm
The veteran from the crowded city
tenement has found a 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 win 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 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 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