The Natchitoches enterprise., 1922-08-10
HIKING DOWN THE
LONG BROWN PATH
vacationists With Shelter Tents
and Tin Cow Learning to
Walk All Over Again.

OH IT.. ,,n not t, II the pack that you carry or
M No, r.. the ., rf'e on you. shou'dcr ~
That makes You feel your limbs are
And ,1r ,.r"winE WI, 60 older; hE ,rn,,..
Nor the socks Of sisters that raise the
~. PIC blooming n nI Sli';er:- ;e,,.
-Plattsburxh Marching Song.
Stringlng out from the suburban
transit terminals OF New York every
Sunday and holiday goes the army Of
khaki-clad hikers There may be an
automobile for every twenty OF the
country's population, but host Of
city folks disproye 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 Its 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
1t noted, are just those the country
Is so anxious to have spread out and
settled In the farming sections. The
hike, indeed, has possibilities as n
real starter for the back to the farm
movement.
Douohboy and Boy Scout Lead Way
Just brief survey Of the rolickng
groups which move of 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
by the roadside. Expert directions
come from him on the method of
singing the pack 10 1t 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 he
now compliments. but which he chsr-
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
of the train and making ready for a
twelve mile jaunt: Get that cum
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 eats? Let's
check 'em of. You got the spuds.
Bill the bacon Jimmie Who has the
coffee and the Borden tin cow?"
fright here" announces a frecklcd
comrade Of the road, patting his Enap-
sack. "Snitched the mocha and the
:an Of milk when Sis wasn't looking"
swell, then, let's go!" snaps tho
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 entlur-
ance. Perhaps the camp Is not far
Dff because the group Is equipped for
IN overnight stay with heavy blanket
rolls, hatchets. lanterns, canvas wa-
terpails. rubber ponchos, kettles, pots,
aew tangled fresfand, etc. etc. The
blankets are laid out for a better
packing OF the bags and ems Of food,
When the party commences to load
~ the members bristle all over with
amp tools and equipment.
Back to the Farm
The veteran from the crowded city
has found a new territory
o roam and one almost unknown to
liz associates. He Is Introducing them
. this; newly discovered land and
eaching them how to be independent
4 any transportation but their own
'ood legs and of any subsistence but
:hat they can carry and prepare.
Walk. and cook your own" is his
nctto
Who will say the leaven thus fer.
nenting in the city crowds will p =,
ear fruit in a keener apprecintio' n,
ountry delights, especially NJ ,ho..
re added to BY increased ,o,,,o-.s
n the farm. With his RAJ - h,,cho1
p, the farmer listens in IN ~. No..
fer. Modern homo .evIce. w,ns ar,
,any hardships 'orm.r,v ,,nno.oS
pon isolated dw .llers. There is. in
hort, rapid cutting down Of the
ifferential b':tween farm and citv
fe. ~ '
Al tue meantime, knowledge mus.
rece"e true appreciation Of what
ne COZ ntry holds. and this is what
'e =" 6e supplies. There Is more ap-
u" in one apple tree In blossom than
reams Of printed matter put out to
nduce the citizen Of the city to
hange his abode to the country. The
likers constitute q growing army.
with bacon, spuds. cofr~cI
nd tin COW for merely days outing
'ut nevertheless seeing sights that
nakn fhAn voaen - h> o,,no~ 49,
II the time. It Is not too much to
ssume that the army may one day
ocruit the open places.