Two good columns

Here are the urls of two wonderful columns about the virtues of hiking and backpacking written by Nicholas Kristof (no relation to our venerable Christof, I assume!). Although they're not exactly suited to our park (he suggests camping outside designated campgrounds, for one thing), I think they're very good.

How to Lick a Slug
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/opinion/02kristof.html?_r=1

How to Recharge Your Soul
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/opinion/09kristof.html?scp=1&sq=how%20to%20recharge%20your%20soul&st=cse