Wondering about “High-Tops”.

I come from a long line of “outdoor” people.  They loved nothing more than to be off in the mountains or the deep woods.  When growing up, since my Grandfather was an engineer on the Pennsylvania Rail Road, my Mother’s family all had passes on the R.R.  My Mom even road the train to school and back and sometimes she would leave school alone or with her sister or brothers and ride the train the whole way to the mountains where they had a camp.  After departing the train, they had to hike up to the top of a mountain to where the camp was located.  I believe I talked about this before on one of my older blogs.  I just wanted to give you a little background for today’s subject, high-top boots.

Those mountains they hiked in were full of rattle snakes and they had a rule that whenever out hiking, they were to wear their “high-tops”.  These boots came up to just under the knee and where lace up, so they fit rather snugly.  I am sure they gave some protection, but I would think that it was more to ease their mind.  An extra large rattle snake could possibly penetrate the thick leather, but maybe most, if not all, could not.  Here is a picture of my Mother (on left) with her sister who everyone called “Pet” (on the right of the picture on my Mom’s left).

This was taken on one of their hikes in the Appalachian Mountains of north central Pennsylvania.  That is probably Mix Run and it would be near the small town of Driftwood.  Let me zoom in a little and so you can see how they are dressed:

Still can’t see the boots?  How about this:

They sure did know how to have a good time.  Now you know why I love nature and getting out “in the woods” so much.  It is in my blood.  Now, you all go out this holiday weekend and take a walk and enjoy nature, you hear?