As regular readers of this blog are aware, I'm an inveterate hiker. I'm always walking, always looking for a new trail I haven't been down yet. I hike along back roads, in forest trails, through swamps and salt marshes. When I was a kid in Boy Scouts I got to hike a good portion of the Appalachian Trail, from down in the Blue Ridge in Virginia up into Pennsylvania; not all at once, but in the course of the years. I've hiked in the Rockies, I've hiked in Maine, and I've hiked on Cape Cod. I like to hike.
So naturally I have shoes that fit my lifestyle. Those shoes in the photo above are all the shoes I own except for two pairs of sandals (both Tevas, a flip-flop pair and a pair of the typical strap over the toes and strap around the ankles walking sandals Teva is famous for). Even that pair in the front, which I bought for work (whenever I manage to find a job) and general around-town walking in colder weather, are walking shoes - Propet "Village Walkers". Yep, I like to walk.
And of course, for a dedicated walker celebrating his hiking boots, what better song than "The Happy Wanderer"? I went searching the other night and among a lot of worthy candidates, this version stood out. Actually, it cracked me up - it's a hoot! [Note: And it kicked off the search for polkas that resulted in the post immediately before this one.] Enjoy!
So naturally I have shoes that fit my lifestyle. Those shoes in the photo above are all the shoes I own except for two pairs of sandals (both Tevas, a flip-flop pair and a pair of the typical strap over the toes and strap around the ankles walking sandals Teva is famous for). Even that pair in the front, which I bought for work (whenever I manage to find a job) and general around-town walking in colder weather, are walking shoes - Propet "Village Walkers". Yep, I like to walk.
And of course, for a dedicated walker celebrating his hiking boots, what better song than "The Happy Wanderer"? I went searching the other night and among a lot of worthy candidates, this version stood out. Actually, it cracked me up - it's a hoot! [Note: And it kicked off the search for polkas that resulted in the post immediately before this one.] Enjoy!
Photo & text © 2009 by A. Roy Hilbinger
Roy...your boots are well worn and ready for more adventure!
ReplyDeletehahaha...that video is a hoot. I wish I were that creative! Your boots look great neatly stowed--yet waiting their next adventure.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great photo, Roy. I love the mellow wood of the door and floor as a back drop.
ReplyDeleteI recognize the black ones. There's an identical pair in our closet. WT's comfiest. :^)
Love the photo of the most worn to the newest! :) Hilarious video clip!
ReplyDeleteThe chorus part is a hoot! Great addition to the Polka post, Roy :) Happy TT!
ReplyDeleteLooking at those packs on the video...I don't think they've embrased the ultra-light movement.
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of hiking too. Much of it I do in sandals actually. In fact, the entire Pacific Crest Trail has been done in sandals without a lot of foot problems so many others have...
have slept many a night on the AT in my day. your shoes look well worn. smiles.
ReplyDeleteI love to hike as well. My husband and I were big hikers before kids (we sometimes hike with them but they complain too much). Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, your shoes look really comfy and sturdy....
ReplyDeleteI'm a runner so my picture would be of sneakers. :)
If someone had told me that a simple photo of workboots & shoes could have conveyed so much... well... I'd probably have asked, "Whose photo? Roy's?" ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove the photograph - it is so evocative. Makes me want to head to the woods (but as it's night over here I will hold off until tomorrow)
ReplyDeleteyou can tell a lot about a person by the shoes he/she wears. thanks for letting us in. but you are holding back on us, let's see those tevas!
ReplyDeletelast year I switched from tevas to keens as my summer shoe of choice. no more stinky teva feet (only shoes which created that problem for me)
I too am drawn by the wood of the door....
Those are some neat old shoes.
ReplyDeletePick a Peck of Pixels
OMG- tell me you don't listen to that track on your MP3 whilst hiking??
ReplyDeleteLove your boots - I've got a pair of hiking boots I've had for ten years, they are still waterproof and I never want to throw them away.
I do worry about your taste in music but the boots are wonderful. I've been meaning to buy a pair of Zamberlains for ages . . .might just get out there today they're soooooo comfy.
ReplyDelete