Trail Magic?

Trail magic is a wonderful occurrence that, if you are lucky, happens to you while you are hiking.  It could happen when you are out for a day hike or a many thousand mile thru-hike.  Trail magic is an unanticipated kindness bestowed upon you while hiking.  It can be bestowed by a total stranger or a known party.  These kind souls, all of them, are typically called Trail Angels. 

I have been fortunate to have had much trail magic bestowed upon me during my hiking trips.  It is amazing to be a part of these random acts of kindness.  It really restores my faith in humanity and reminds me that there are wonderful people out there, and in a time where the news is filled with stories of atrocities that people inflict on other people, these acts of kindness rejuvenate the spirit and mend the heart.

I want to take a moment to reflect on an amazing Trail Magic bestowed upon me on the Continental Divide Trail.  I want to share this story with you because I hope that it will remind you of how great people are.  I hope it will encourage you to be a Trail Angel…or an everyday angel.  I want to express my gratitude about my Steamboat Springs Trail Angel.  Although, I am writing about one specific experience, one moment in time, there have been many Angels, in life and on the trail, to whom I am grateful.  I hope they read this and know how much they meant to me and how much they still mean to me.

And the Story Begins…

I was about thirty miles north of Rabbit Ears Pass, where I would leave the trail for a quick jaunt into Steamboat Springs to resupply.  I came to a cross roads, literally.  There was a mass of dirt and gravel roads, some leading to a group campsite, some to various other places that I chose not to explore on foot, literally a cross roads.  I wasn’t sure where the trail went so I decided to go into the group camp and see if anyone had any ideas.  I came across an eclectic, enthusiastic, kind group of people on a work retreat.  They were cleaning up from their camp out and I struck up a conversation with some of the members.

They were all very nice and friendly and pointed me towards a man who had been to this site a few times.  He offered me directions to where he thought the trail was, in addition to pleasant conversation.  There rest of the group chatted with me, asking me the usual questions.  They packaged up some bread pudding for me to take with me for later and I asked them the usual questions, where are you from, what do you do for work, the usual. 

They said they were from Steamboat Springs.  I told them that I was going to visit Steamboat and asked if they could recommend an affordable but nice and clean place to stay.  One woman, Julia, said “I’d stay at my house.”

I laughed thinking “duh Anitra, of course they’d stay at their own houses,” but, at that moment, Julia, made me an incredible offer that touched my heart, and put a spring in my step.  She said, “Why don’t you stay at my house.”  I told her that was very nice of her to offer but that I was going to be in town tomorrow afternoon and that might be short notice. 

She said it was no problem, she would be out of town but she would leave the sliding glass door unlocked and I could go in and make myself at home with only two stipulations…don’t drink the wine and don’t go downstairs to the basement level.  No problem.

She gave me her address and phone number, the name of the townhouse complex she lived in and the name of street on which the bus stop was located (Steamboat has a great, free bus system).  I would call the next day from town to confirm that the plan was still on.

I got to town the next day and after doing a few errands with Old Bay and Corvid, called her to see if she had changed her mind or if she still felt ok about having a total stranger staying in her home while she was away.  Luckily for me, she was still game to have me stay over and she even said that Old Bay and Corvid, whom she had never met, could join me. 

The three of us did some more errands, including walking through the drive thru at McDonald’s, bought some supplies for the night and boarded a bus and found her home with no problems.  The door was unlocked as she said and we were comfortable in Julia’s home. 

The next morning, it was a Saturday, I watched a good bit of college football and decided to hang out until Julia arrived home.  She invited us to stay another night and we gratefully took her up on her offer.  We chatted and really had an enjoyable time.  I also got to watch the highlights of Appalachian State beating Michigan in the Big House.  A perfect Saturday!

Leaving Steamboat…

Sunday, Julia drove Old Bay and I up to Rabbit Ears pass and we each continued on our journeys.  Both a bit more rested.  I felt light as air, as not only my body had rested and healed a bit, but my soul had as well. 

Julia, your magic, your generosity, and your trusting, giving nature are not forgotten.  I can never possibly pay you back; I can only hope to pay it forward.  Luckily, I know that paying it forward would be your preferred method of payment.

Thank you Julia, and all of the other Trail (and life) Angels out there, you make a difference and make my hikes more than hikes; you help to make them journeys.