They had been hiking for months at this point, and my last hike had been a year earlier in Georgia. I was woefully out of shape compared to the two of them. They could easily cover 17+ miles a day and I definitely slowed them down. One night as I dragged my blistered and bruised feet one after the other, it began to rain like crazy. We'd decided to get sandwiches at a store not far from the trail, but night was coming, and we hadn't settled on a camping location. So, we were loaded down with food, heavy packs, and a dog when the rain got harder. Suddenly, this lady who gave her name as Cricket, offered us a dry place to stay. We didn't ask questions. We just piled into her van, sweaty bodies, wet packs, and all, and she showed us a little basement room where we could stay for the night. I've never been so thankful for a place to stay and a chance to get off my feet for an evening. She even fed us a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, and potatoes before we headed back onto the trail the next day.
My friends said that over the course of their multi-month hike, trail magic like that happened quite a lot. Folks are very friendly and willing to help out hikers along the trail. I'm grateful that Cricket was there to help us on that rainy, dark night. It made my hiking experience that much more magical.
he more I reflect on that experience, the more I think we need trail magic in our lives, even when we aren't hiking a trail. Whether you call it paying it forward or random acts of kindness, each day presents us with the opportunity to make someone else's day better. I challenge you to be the trail magic in someone's life today. I know you have it in you.
P.S. - Don't forget to come out for this weekend's seminar on container gardening. Flower expert Jo will teach you all about thrillers, spillers, and fillers and can show you how to get your porches ready for fall.