River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1922-08-31
HIKING DOWN THE
LONG BROWN PATH
vacationists With Shelter Tents
and Tin Cow Learning to
Walk Al! Over Again.

|
Nor the five inch crust Of khaki-colored
That makes you feel your limbs are
| 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 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
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 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 and
settled IN the farming sections. The
hike, indeed, has possibilities as a
real starter for the "back to the farm"
movement.
Douohboy 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
30 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
4 to find the easiest way Of carrying
the heaviest load. With results he
now compliments. but which he char
acterized when doughboy as Z
"blankety-blank total failure"
Then there are the boy scout par.
ties, adept at everything pertaining
to 'sshanks 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 snat can
teen over to the side, Jimmie, aod
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 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 COL" snaps the
commander 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 endur-
ance. 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 ponchos, kettles, pots,
new tangled irestand, etc., etc. The
4 blankets are laid out for 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
tenements 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 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 20
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.
In the meantime, knowledge must
precede a true appreciation of what
the country holds, and this is what