Inspired by the tanking economy, traffic has picked up lately on the Appalachian Trail. See? It’s not just a handy excuse. “Oh nowhere. Hiking the Appalachian Trail.” Laid-off people and recent college grads who can’t find jobs are making the trip up and down the trail. Is this really what it’s come to? The recession has spawned a new wave of hoboing.

via Backpacker [NPR]