Trail Magic Year 2

Last year, my mom, husband and son decided to try out offering some Trail Magic to thru hikers at Pen Mar Park near the MD/PA line.  It was a success and extremely rewarding, so we made sure we planned it again this year.  

Our Trail Magic was planned for June 10th.  It coincided with my unfortunate circumstances.  I managed to fracture my foot by stubbing my toe, and I was on crutches.  It didn't stop me from "hiking" along the trail a bit and taking advantage of being able to get an awesome photo op.  Now my Trail Name "Badass" isn't just because I have one, 

in this photo I look like one hiking on crutches.

When we do Trail Magic, we go all out.

It isn't just a few sodas and snacks, 

we transport our gas grill to Pen Mar Park and grill up burgers and dogs.

There's cheese, sliced tomatoes, onions, 

potato salad, macaroni salad, chips,

fresh fruit, candy, sodas, water, lemonade,

and homemade cookies.

The one thing we were told over and over was that each hiker was afraid to get excited about the Trail Magic signs, because in their experience, the signs could actually be old ones.

They had run into that often.

So keep that in mind if you're doing your own magic,

make sure you take down the signs when the magic is gone!

We served over 20 hikers and 2 dogs.

Gino here was owned by thru hiker Cookie Monster,

who did, in fact, eat the rest of our cookies.

This little Chi-Weenie had a trail name- Drumstick- because of her

very meaty back legs.

Thru Hikers think about food a lot.

It was a great day, and we met a lot of great hikers.

I heard later that we had the most significant amount of Trail Magic.

We've made a few notes for next year

like being there an hour earlier to accommodate the early risers

and have coffee and donuts.

We'll also bring some dog treats and a bowl for water

just in case we get some more 4 legged hikers.

Trail Magic continues to be one of my favorite things to do.

Never have I done anything else that has been so greatly appreciated.

Trail Magic

 When you can't be hiking the trail, 

the next best thing is to help out those who are.

This help is known as Trail Magic and can be anything like offering a ride into town, leaving food or snacks or drinks along the trail, offering a hot shower or offering a BBQ.

 I've been wanting to offer Trail Magic for 2 years now and we finally set the plan in motion.

This past Saturday, we headed out to Pen Mar Park near the MD/PA line.

The AT runs right through the park, 

and the park offers picnic tables and bathrooms

so it was the perfect place to set up.

We took along our gas grill and had hamburgers and hotdogs, 

sodas, watermelon slices, clementines and bananas,

chips and "goody bags" of gummi bears, starburst and lifesavers to take along.

We also brought along two water containers for anyone needing to refill water bottles

without needing to filter it.

 This was our first customer who traveled from Hawaii to hike the trail.

He was one of 3 Eagle Scouts we met that day.

He shared photos from his travels and told us of his favorite places so far.

My 10 year old son really enjoyed listening to him,

and it sparked his desire to start backpacking too.

 It didn't take long to gather a small crowd.

 This couple was from Germany and came just to hike the AT.

Tortoise is on the left, Autobahn on the right.

She really loves watermelon and ate quite a few slices.

He had several hamburgers and hot dogs and discovered relish.

I will never eat a watermelon or use relish without thinking of these two!

My husband ended up giving them a ride into town to the Walmart along 

with another guy and on the way they stopped for another hiker trying to hitchhike into town.

Turned out it was the first hiker we had fed that day.

On his way back, he took another hiker back to the trail.

Later that day we learned that Tortoise and Autobahn had run out of food

and only had candy to eat for breakfast.

So we were at the right place at the right time for them-

for the food and the resupply trip.

 We had lots of happy hikers

 Some were just starting their Flip Flop,

some thru hiking from Georgia and 

some just doing section hikes.

This is Mr. Clean and my son loved talking to him about history.

Mr. Clean is a retired history teacher

who is headed to the Ukraine with the Peace Corps.

As a retired teacher he would probably be pleased to know 

that my son started looking up information about the Ukraine

to learn about the area and where it was.

Trouble is standing wearing the red shirt.

He's on thru hike 4 and 5 as he's doing (another) Yo-Yo

meaning he hikes Georgia to Maine then turns around and hikes Maine to Georgia.

He gave my 10 year old the idea about working while hiking,

and now my son plans to do nothing but hike the AT and work at REI's along the way.

Two of the 3 men sitting at the picnic table ended up getting a ride down the road

to their car.

They had finished a section hike and had some painful blisters.

Their companion ended up hiking to the car.

Turns out that they live not too far from us in Carlisle, PA

which is also near part of the AT.

They've done their own Trail Magic.

In the end, I can say this was an absolutely fantastic day and experience.

We met great people, and more importantly, 

we learned why it's truly better to give than receive.

I have never done anything for someone that was appreciated the way

these people appreciated what we gave them.

I left feeling really really good.

And now my son is planning his thru hike in 8 years (when he graduates).

Thinking about offering some Trail Magic?

DO IT!

It's as magical for you as it is for those you're giving it to.