Trail Magic

There is well-known phenomenon among long distance hikers known as "Trail Magic." Trail magic is what happens at unexpected moments when a hiker most needs some motivation or sign of hope and inspiration to go on. Its almost as if it's a spiritual sign 'from above' to help keep us motivated and 'on the path' as it were.

Trail angels are the good folk that make it all happen and who seemingly appear out of nowhere. They may single-handedly appear on the trail with a pan of brownies for weary hikers, or show up en-masse with refreshments, home-cooked meals or other equally as welcomed offerings for the trail-trodden. They may also provide rides to or from the trail, a place to stay, laundry services or any of countless other services. They are ex-hikers, current hikers, non-hikers and everyone in between. They may show up on the trail, after the trail, or in the case of a local Central Florida News 13 reporter covering my story, before one even begins the trail.

Scott Fais has been covering the Russell Home for some time, although I must confess, I have never seen him before. It seems that Bright House Networks, the company that owns Central Florida News 13, does not offer the local news channel to basic cable subscribers here in Orlando for some reason. But I do get local Chicago news which is
good, because...well, ok, so it's not so good, but I digress.

Without brownies, without occasional soft drinks, or a cheerful smile, or occasional rides to and from town while on the trail, without the news coverage to help increase exposure to one's hike for charity and without the occasional offerings of support in whatever form they take, the lives of a hiker would be much less enjoyable.

I received this email this morning from a Trail Angel in Duncannon, Pennsylvania who came upon Scott Fais' news story by chance:

Hi Ron & Family,

I read about your approaching hike through my google alert for the Appalachian trail. I am a trail angel living in Duncannon,PA. I hope I am not working and get to meet you when you hike into Duncannon. If there is anything I can do for you and/or the hikers that arrive in Duncannon at the same time as you, I will be more than glad to help if I can. If I am lucky you will arrive on a Sunday and I can share my Sunday hiker feed with you.

Good luck with your hike. Enjoy.
See you at trail days, if you are there.

Mary

How amazing is that?

But that is the kind of Trail Magic that abounds on the trail, and which I will look forward to on those cold, rainy, achy days, when the last thing I feel like doing is putting on my wet stinky socks, my mud-soaked boots, my wet and dirty clothes and trod on a mud-soaked path for 13 miles in the middle of nowhere.

Thank you, Trail Angels - You really are angels...

Ron