Hiking Heaven (in reply to 'Random Recollections'

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Stephen Whiteside
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Hiking Heaven (in reply to 'Random Recollections'

Post by Stephen Whiteside » Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:19 pm

A reply to Shelley's 'Random Recollections'

Hiking Heaven

There is hiking and there’s camping, and they are not quite the same.
Hiking’s an exhilarating, grand, enthralling game.
You need to camp when hiking (or you mostly do) that’s true,
But when I think of ‘camping’, it’s a static thing to do.

Hiking takes you places where your car can never drive.
Hiking makes you feel so vibrant, energised, alive.
Hiking takes you places where not even bikes can reach.
Of all outdoor adventures, simple hiking is the peach!

You’ll stumble on things hiking you will find no other way.
Forget those fancy holidays that make you pay and pay.
Perhaps it is a mountain-top with views that never end.
Perhaps it is a valley where a bubbling creek might wend

Its cheerful way, unhurried, through smooth stones and tussock grass,
Where you might stop to let a small echidna slowly pass.
Perhaps you’ll find an ancient hut that’s steeped in history,
Or a gold mine long abandoned with its rusty battery.

The calling of the shy whipbirds will make the ranges ring,
And you’ll fill your water bottles from a cool, deep mountain spring.
Of course, you will be camping, but that’s almost on the side,
And all you’ll need, you’ll carry, which will fill your heart with pride.

Camping in a campground, I’ll agree, is not that great.
It’s second…third…or fourth…well, no it’s really SEVENTH rate
Compared to hiking in the bush, and following your map,
And as for four walls, roof and floor, they’re nothing less than…inferior accommodation!

© Stephen Whiteside 09.02.2018
Stephen Whiteside, Australian Poet and Writer
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au

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Shelley Hansen
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Location: Maryborough, Queensland
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Re: Hiking Heaven (in reply to 'Random Recollections'

Post by Shelley Hansen » Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:12 pm

Brilliant, Stephen!

Yes, I do agree that hiking is great - although I admit I've never done any overnight treks.

I will certainly have to put my thinking cap on to come up with a suitable response to such a convincing case!

Cheers
Shelley
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

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Shelley Hansen
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun May 04, 2014 5:39 pm
Location: Maryborough, Queensland
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Re: Hiking Heaven (in reply to 'Random Recollections'

Post by Shelley Hansen » Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:49 pm

Finally, Stephen!! Please see my reply in separate thread "Hiking Dilemma" (in reply to "Hiking Heaven").

Sorry about the delay - don't you hate it when life gets in the way of poetry!! ;)

Cheers
Shelley
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

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