Appalachian Trials Trail Magic 2015: The Recap

Last year it was Wendy’s, this year the Appalachian Trials Trail Magic extravaganza took aim at the Golden Arches.  “Oh wow.”

This stop at McDonalds was preceded with a trip to the local FoodLion, Dollar General, and of course, the liquor store (for the 21+ crowd only, always).

I pulled up to the Trail, just outside of Shady Valley, with a car full of calories, ready for a day’s worth of feeding hungry hikers.  I quickly learned that it would not work out exactly this way, as I had landed in the center of the hiker bubble.

This year, we were blessed to have a handful of virtual trail angels– thank you to Jeff Vreeland, Ellie Beckett (a former trail magic recipient!), John Wilson (aka MoFo), Ted Mason, and Jenna Catalona!

The below pictures (courtesy of 2015 thru-hiker, “Peaches”.  Badger dropped the photo-taking-ball, opting instead to spend this time soaking up the thru-hikers’ stories) represent just the first wave of thru-hikers who came through for the day.  There were many.  More than I can count- which means, at least 9.

I spy 13 thru-hikers.

Badger and photographer / 2015 thru-hiker, “Peaches”.

After blowing through the first round of food and drink in approximately 2 hours, Badger made another trip to town, this time to raid the Burger King dollar menu (no video, sorry).  Again, I dropped the ball with capturing photos- HOWEVER- I did my best to encourage (see: threaten) the hikers to sign our trail magic register.

(Warning: some of the entries contain adult language.)

 

(Here’s the backstory to Detox’s entry.)

Once again, a HUGE thank you to this year’s Trail Angels.  You guys made several hikers’ days.  Can’t wait to do this again in 2016.  I vow to take more pictures.