Trail Magic, TRAIL MAGIC & ESREVER LIART CIGAM

Trail Magic simply stated is when a person or persons supply hikers with food and/or drink (or on occasion, a ride or place to stay) free, out of the goodness of their hearts.

Trail Magic comes in many varieties, and as we’ve gotten further south, trail magic has gone full bloom. Some examples?

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This Family from Central Indiana saw us in the Newfound Gap parking lot Thursday and went into their van and came out with fruit cups of peaches, pears & pineapple, as well as apple sauce. What a TREAT!!

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Earlier that very same day, TAL & TAJ ( Trail Angels Laura & John) offered us apples and oranges during our lunch break.  They were a couple from St. Louis doing a day hike on the AT.  Fresh fruit during a hike?  Trail Magic!

A different type trail magic is when a person, group or organization intensionally sets up to provide magic for the day.

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In the photo above, a thru-hikers parents (all the way from Minnesota) were parked in Tennessee and serving blueberry pancakes in North Carolina!

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Here, a group supporting WARRIOR HIKERS ( Veterans of Afghanistan & Iraq wars) had a table set up under the I-26 underpass.

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The Ladies providing the Warrior Hikers trail magic.

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Sometimes, Trail Magic is simply left at a junction close to a road.  When it is, there’s always a chance it could be empty, as it was  on this case.  Next to the cooler was a note, asking that thru-hikers text when the cooler was empty.

THEN, THERE’S TRAIL MAGIC!

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That’s when a long time college buddy picks you up straight off the trail with ice cold Sam Adams, feeds you (turkey sandwiches),

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Gets you into Thailand comfywear while your laundry is getting done….

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Feeds you homemade steak and chicken pot pies (Ben’s the chef) til your ready to burst at the seams…..spends hours making earings (Jan’s talented) for Greyhound & Bobbi, puts you up for the night…..and then…..
feeds us a FULL SOUTHERN BREAKFAST!!!! 

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Our hosts, Jan & Ben…..thanks a Bunch!!!!!  You’re AWESOME;)

What in the world is ESREVER LIART CIGAM?? (hint, read each word backwards)……

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It’s when you COMPLETELY surprise your wife with a 50th Birthday bash (with a LOT OF HELP from sister-in-law, Jackie Johnson)

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And then she realizes that the 3 hikers, including her husband, are part of that surprise (thanks to Mary Conrad, who picked us up and transported us 320 miles from Clingmans Dome to Lynchburg and back)

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Thanks, family & friends for a GREAT TIME!!

SO……what is ESREVER LIART CIGAM??  It’s when 3 AT flip-flop thru-hikers help provide trail magic in reverse!!

Today’s hike has not yet started, so it’s NOT yet History!  We sandwiched a Zero in between two Nero’s.  When we reach Clingmans Dome parking lot later today, we have a 4.2 mile hike before calling it a day!

Stay tuned for more from Chopper, Mountain Goat & Greyhound;)

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Comments 6

  • Sarah Fairfield : May 2nd

    Cool pictures duke. I am the girl from the newfound gap picture. We are back at home now. I am also doing my schoolwork today. Hope you completed the southern half of the trail.

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : May 3rd

      Sarah,

      Thanks for looking us up and making a comment! You and your family were indeed our trail Angels that day and you have no idea how much that picks a hiker HP and stays with them on their hike. Thanks again to you and family….and keep following;)

      Chopper

      Reply
  • Lynn : May 2nd

    What amazing people you are coming in contact with! I had no idea there was an entire world out there making magic. Thank you for sharing your awesome adventure with us.

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : May 3rd

      Lynn,

      The trail is truly an amazing place. It’s somewhere where people of completely different backgrounds and interests can bond over their experiences. From unemployed to cardiologists, everyone shares experiences of surviving and thriving on the trail;). Thanks for continuing to follow us! We’re 640 miles in and looking to be done with the southbound section on Sunday, May 15th.

      Chopper/Duke

      Reply
  • Chris : May 2nd

    Hey Duke don’t worry about the work weekend Mary and I and Bobbie will take care of it. Got a21 lb turkey in WV last week

    Reply
    • Duke Conrad : May 3rd

      Chris,

      Thanks for taking care of our wives while we’re gone! Congrats on the turkey… The 3 of us saw a big Tom today during our hike…..in the Smokies, they and the deer are almost tame. I saw one of each today.

      Chopper/Duke

      Reply

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