The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-08-03
HIKING DOWN THE
LONG BROWN PATH
vacationists With Shelter Tents
and Tin Cow Learning to
Walk All Over Again.

Walk All Over Again.
Oil rt.s not =. tn the pack that you carry ON
Nor the fve Inch crust OF khaki colored
dust
That makes you feel your limbs arr
And it's not the hike on the hard turnpike
~, That r. drives Ives away your smile. mil, -,
It's the last long mile.
-Pattsburgh Marching Song.
Stringing 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 disprove the theory Of a
future leg-enfeebled citizenry and are
learning to walk all over again.
To the more casual minded, the hike
II 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
real starter for the back to the farm"
movement.
Doushboy and Boy Scout Lead Way
Just brief survey Of the roIlicking
groups which move. OF from the out
lying 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 midday feast
by the roadside Expert directions
come from him on the method Of
singing the pack SO 1t will not fea
80 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 ind the easiest way Of carrying
the heaviest load. With results he
now compliments. but which he char
acterlzed when doughboy a. Q
'blankety blank total failure"
Then there are the boy scout par
ties. adept At everything pertaining
to "shsnks mare" travelling and woed-
craft The ex-serviee man and the
boy scout are pioneers In the hiking
game. Listen to one Of them right
on the train and making ready for q
twelve mile jaunt: "Get that can
teen over the side. Jimmie. and
II won't keep bouncing OF your leg
every step. Il II hlled7 Well, then,
We drink. How about the eats7 Let's
check 'em on. You got the spuds,
Bill; the bacon Jimmie. whe has the
coffee and the Borden tin cowT
Right here" announces a freckled
comrade Of the road, patting his KNAPP
sack. "Snitched the mocha and the
can Of milk when Sis wasn't looking. i"
swell. 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 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 f1restand. 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 over with
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 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 moi
bear fruit In a keener appreciation O,
country delights. especially as these
are added to by increased comfort,
on the farm. With his radio hItchet
up. the farmer listens in on the bes,
entertainment the country has Il
offer. Modern home devices wipe on,
many hardships formerly imposed
upon isolated dwellers. There is, n
short, rapid cutting down Of tn,
differential between farm and city
life.