LONGISH: Trail Magic ? (was) RE: [at-l] Cooler at Trailside, WasBear stuff

[nealb@midlandstech.com (William Neal)]

ORIGINAL:
On the otherhand, I frankly don't get some of the more contrived generosity 
directed towards thru-hikers.  I know its genuine and heart-felt, but I just

don't get it.  I don't know ANYTHING about goodies left along the Trail down

South, or about people waiting by Trailheads to give rides and assistance, 
but the whole scene seems rather wierd to me.  And if pushed, I might use 
another adjective.  But my perception is not based on first hand experience,

so I am just reacting to the internet reports.

REPLY:
J'st plain ol' Southern hospitality.  & It's not contrived.  Actually a lot
of the South (particularly the Southeast and the Appalachians) derive their
culture from a heavy does of Celtic culture.  And like a lot of older
cultures, hospitality to strangers was of prime importance to Celts.  In
fact, sometimes the well being of strangers was as important or more
important than family (ever read the story of Lot in the Old Testement?).
As long as the strangers were "polite".  

I have given strangers rides, stopped to help change a tire, etc.  And it is
common (or was) to see such things down here.  Of course as you "Yankees"
;-) move down here, it's getting more uncommon.  Of course it does rub off
on some "new Southerners" and they show genuine Southern hospitality.  

Also, a lot of people are curious about hikers.  And along a hiking path,
they grow more curious.  So they share what they have.  

Not that everyone down South is nice.  A lot of people anywhere are just
down right cold or mean: I once got knocked down by a cup thrown from a
pickup; I was hiking to work carrying a full ALICE pack -- guess they
thought I was a 'Bo passing through.  The truck was going 50 to 60, and so
the cup (full of ice) hit pretty hard.  I saluted them with one finger.
Later (since I recognized them) I told their grandfather.  He and their
fathers were none too happy.  And some people, anywhere, are so
self-absorbed that they can run over you and keep on going: "Honey did you
feel a bump?" ;-)

But trail magic does exist: I've gotten taken all over Suches by a homeless
guy who lived here and there out of his old station wagon.  And I spent a
hour or so riding around Helen, Ga., by a nice couple a they tried to find a
room open at an inn.  Then there was the old guy who waited at crossings
because he was retired.  And the fry cook who was in a hurry to get home,
but stayed so I could get a real hamburger and fries.

Not that a body should not be careful: "Why are you wearing that hockey mask
Jason?  You did say your name is Jason?"  But a lot of people like to
"share" in such an undertaking even if only by taking mail into town for
you.

One suggestion: If you are missing out on Trail Magic (and it exists
elsewhere besides the South), it might be mainly for two reasons: You're at
the wrong place at the wrong time.  Or, your attitude.  Adjusting your
attitude might help.  I've know lots of friendly Southerners whose attitude
would change faster than a New York second.  Example: During a snowstorm
years ago, a farmer was pulling cars out of the ditch along an Interstate
(95 or 85).  He had pulled out a whole lot and was not charging them
anything.  He came to a Caddy and started to hitch up the bumper.  The car's
owner jumped out and started shouting that the farmer was not about to hitch
his nasty old tractor to his nice, new $35,000 Caddy.  The farmer replied,
"You D**n right!  I ain't about to hitch up my $65,000 John Deere to your
sorry a**'s car."  And with that he went to the next car in line.  Soon the
Caddy was the only car for a long ways.  Luckily a highway patrol car came
and took the people to an emergency shelter.

As for why it seems to be directed more toward thru-hikers:  It ain't to
hard (especially down South in rural areas) to understand people camping out
for a day or two.  But for months and over 2000+ miles?  That's genuinely
crazy.  And there are only two places in the world where "eccentrics" are
loved/taken care of: England and the American South.  Remember DESIGNING
WOMEN?

Also, thru-hikers are apt to be more considerate of the locals.  Or that
might be the way locals will perceive them.  Especially since a lot of the
Sweet Ol' Bill's and Billie's and the party-hardiers are apt to be day
trippers or weekenders: They just don't have what it takes to hike the whole
thing, and even those thru-hikers who crash are apt to have a better
attitude than those who only go out for party trip.

So if you want Trail Magic.  Don't expect it.  Don't demand it.  Just be
polite and considerate as if you were at home.  And when it comes, say
thanks.  And if it doesn't, just keep trucking on.

William, The Southern Born & Bread Turtle