trail magic
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 3:34 pm
I associate "trail magic" with good fortune encountered while hiking the Appalachian Trail although I don’t recall that term being in play back when I hiked the AT. Simply put, trail magic occurs when a hiker benefits from a good deed from a seen or unseen stranger. Maybe something simple as food left at a trail shelter for an unsuspecting hiker whose resupply remains still a day away. Trail magic is surely not something that occurs just on the AT. Such magic could happen on any trail.
On Wednesday I was coming down the south slopes of Mt Wilson when I met up and chatted briefly with a fellow from Wisconsin. Richland Center, if I remember correctly. Although the conversation was lively, there was no way I could keep up with him and he was soon out of sight heading on down to the Kilpacker TH. I continued on myself thru the endless rock, slag, and scree, until finally, even as a thunderstorm threatened, I hobbled back to the trailhead myself, a long 11 hour day done at last.
But not quite done. Because that guy from Wisconsin was still there loading gear onto the back of his truck and as I walked by he handed me a beer. Not just a beer, but an ice cold beer. I mean an ice cold beer that was the greatest ice cold beer ever intended for pouring down after a long long day on the trail. It was a magical beer.
I later had an IPA at Smuggler Joe’s and it wasn’t half as good.
Anyway, I didn’t get the gentleman’s name, but if he’s reading this, thanks again for the beer.
On Wednesday I was coming down the south slopes of Mt Wilson when I met up and chatted briefly with a fellow from Wisconsin. Richland Center, if I remember correctly. Although the conversation was lively, there was no way I could keep up with him and he was soon out of sight heading on down to the Kilpacker TH. I continued on myself thru the endless rock, slag, and scree, until finally, even as a thunderstorm threatened, I hobbled back to the trailhead myself, a long 11 hour day done at last.
But not quite done. Because that guy from Wisconsin was still there loading gear onto the back of his truck and as I walked by he handed me a beer. Not just a beer, but an ice cold beer. I mean an ice cold beer that was the greatest ice cold beer ever intended for pouring down after a long long day on the trail. It was a magical beer.
I later had an IPA at Smuggler Joe’s and it wasn’t half as good.
Anyway, I didn’t get the gentleman’s name, but if he’s reading this, thanks again for the beer.
It was a great treat to finish the hike out with a ice cold beer, wonderful surroundings, and setting sun. Gotta love it when people are cool like that. Definitely one of the best beers I had enjoyed in some time.