[pct-l] Trail *magic*

[Eric Lee]

I know the trail community will inevitably evolve however it wants to
regardless of my personal opinions, but I sure do wish we could put the
*magic* back into trail magic, and the *angel* back into trail angel.

The original meaning of the term of trail *magic* was something amazing and
totally unexpected that drops into your lap as if by magic.  The original
meaning of the term trail *angel* was someone who appears out of nowhere to
help you right when you're in desperate need, like an angelic being.

I think the theme here is "serendipity".  Serendipity is a wondrous, magical
thing that builds powerful experiences and memories that will be with you
for the rest of your life.  The man who coined the word in 1754 wrote, "_no_
discovery of a thing you are looking for, comes under this description".
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serendipity)  When we lose that sense of
serendipity, all we're left with is an expectation of services.  Services
are nice too.  They're useful.  But they're not magical.

Ok, excuse me while I go wax nostalgic in the corner.

Eric