[at-l] magical... Re: Was longevity advice....now: 2000 milers......

[hiker 317]

That's a great idea!...examples of the unexpected magic to counterpoint the
(mostly) predictable unmagic :) The most wonderful thing happened to me on
my first long hike; i had an unplanned semi-emergency that landed me in the
town where i was born, which isn't a traditional 'trailtown', and i didn't
find out about it's being my natal city until 14 years later. The second
best trail magic was not being shot by the farmer who had just a few minutes
before said that he was going to do so, as he racked a shell into his
shotgun. I guess that not getting eaten by the dog that was intent on having
me for supper would be a tie for second, and having dinner with the
wonderful family of Mr. Emerson Harrison would be the premier gustatory
magic of that trip. The hot shower and real bed for a night was cool also.
So, hiking can make one feel reborn, as in not dying, show you where you
were born, and shower you with food and friendship when it's least expected
and most needed.

On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 4:00 PM, Tom McGinnis <sloetoe at yahoo.com> wrote:

> ### You know, I'm still trying to find time to put together a "throughhike
> tribulations" post (especially daunting after JimO's near-JOB-like
> reminisce), but speaking of "classics" and little magical things... I wonder
> what a list of hike-magic might look like.... Sheeesh.
>
> POG taking me from Asheville bus station to Damascus, thence from Erwin to
> Springer for New Year's Eve. STITCHES for dragging me (crampons and all) up
> Dee's own Monadnock, thence to a wonderful Passover seder. REDHEAD for
> dragging me off the trail (on the prior hike) for a hot shower, and warm
> meal. And, when the guy who was supposed to meet me on top of Springer
> flaked without notice, MS KINK, for driving from Indiana to Springer "just
> cuz"... STUMPKNOCKER and LITESHOE for that blessed WARM CHICKEN on top of
> Springer a few New Year's later. (Still my favorite favorite favorite
> picture.) And STUMPKNOCKER for a great ride back to my car at Wesser. MRS
> GORP, for getting the boys and I from Killington to the Canadian border so
> we could start the Long Trail, and of course BLEEDER GUY Beau for picking us
> up and transporting us BACK to the car, when our hoped-for 180 miles turned
> into 90-and-glad-for-it. Oh my goodness, CHAINSAW! who, some years later,
> loaned
>  us his Nomad one dark, brooding night in the middle of Maine, when our
> shelter was stolen (leaving Gorham) and before we'd gotten a replacement
> (Andover).
>
> This is, of course, only the people on or about this list who specifically
> stepped in. What of those who just went out of their way to say "Hi" -- what
> a nice thing. TJ, Chainsaw, Rockdancer, Stumpknocker, Redhead, Baltimore
> Jack, Glencliff's Big Jon come to mind... And what of those persons who
> picked us up (twin boys in matching backpacks and their dad) as we hitched
> hither and yon? The Dartmouth gal who interviewed us for a film project, and
> then took us in for showers and laundry. The Vermont couple who took us home
> to downtown Rutland and their home-brew "party", for food and showers and
> rest. The inn proprietors who heaped extra fries on the boys' plate, or
> declared "bottomless Root Beers", or stuffed ice cream cones extra deep and
> high? The Monson gal who, a year after she closed her hostel service, opened
> her home to us regardless on our return visit? What of Our Man Winton, who
> made sure that no one was left behind for a gratis run down the
>  mountain to the All you can EAT restaurant? Jeez, I'm scratching the
> surface. Just scratching.
>
> Leaving the Gathering, I hooked up with Baggins (a 59 year old,
> 4-and-a-half foot gal from Normal, IL, headed home from the Vermont border
> at the end of her 4th section hike) and got her from Gettysburg as far as
> the Indy bus station (after a day or two here to relax). She was grateful
> and all, but I had to remind her, "Baggins, so many have done for me and
> mine. Soooo many."
>
> Gratefultoe
>
> --- On Wed, 11/4/09, Tom McGinnis <sloetoe at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > ### "Sloetoe"?? Nah. That's hikers.
> > *That's* classic hiker......
> >
> > --- On Wed, 11/4/09, Gary Ticknor <garyticknor at verizon.net>
> > wrote:
> > > That's Sloetoe, all right.  Classic.>
> > > - Greenbriar
> > >
> > > Felix J wrote:
> > > My second favorite memory is that Sloetoe,
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