Angels & Journals

imported
#1

I was just curious whether or not Trail Angels are allowed to keep a journal on this site. We LOVE being Trail Angels, and thought if we had a journal on this site, people would be able to see where we leave our Magic. And I believe it would help put Hikers at Ease knowing where the food has come from. And would give them the opprotunity to ask guestions or voice concerns.We leave a small written journal in the container with the magic, Is that enough? We probably would not post our pictures (of ourselves) due to the fact that we place this magic to help others, not to bring recognition to ourselves. However my wife seems to think that it might make people feel more at ease if they could put a face with the food that they are about to consume. When she first heard of the concept of Trail Magic her comment was something along the lines of “And they just eat that stuff? They eat food that they just stumble across in the woods?” LOL. All of the goodies are store bought and individually wrapped. Any comments? Would love to hear your thoughts? Watching for replies…
Curious Trail Angels In NC

Curious Angels

#2

I ain’t never met a hiker that needed to be put at ease before chowing down on grub left trailside by so-called “angels”. Hell, I eat leftovers off plates in restaurants without thinking twice. Trust me. Hikers don’t care who it comes from.

Lone Wolf

#3

I think it’s an excellent idea for Trail Angels to be able to communicate and coordinate. I usually keep up to date here, but think I’ll post more often this year where I’m going to pop up at. I love feeding hikers - always have. See you on the Trail. :girl

StarLyte

#4

I think it would be great to read trail angel journals, especially if you transcribed the entries from the journal you leave with the food. It would be a great way for hikers and hikers’ families and friends to know roughly where they’ve been. You might write on the notebook that you will be transcribing people’s notes into trailjournals (with address listed) and invite people to write a note to friends and family. Hmm, that could get complicated. Perhaps you should ask Leif and Zip if they consider this an appropriate use of journals. You could coordinate one journal for all trail angels. Great idea. Rainbow

Rainbow

#5

Thanks for the suggestions thus far. How do I go About asking Leif & Zip if this would be acceptable? I am a section hiker also if that makes a difference? When we left Magic this past weekend we took pictures of near by “landmarks” and pictures of the container hanging in the tree. After we took the pictures we thought hey maybe there is a way for us to post them the Hikers to see while they update their journals. It is just a thought. What do you think?
Trail Angels in NC

Curious Angels

#6

This is just me talking and my way of looking at it, but it sort of seems to me:

  1. That a selfless act should be done in as much secret as possible. If you start advertising your good deeds, then you are looking for thanks, gratitude, cheers, etc.
  2. Real angels sort of keep it secret that they are angels, if you start advertising your angel status, then people may come looking to you for handouts, gear, money, etc.
  3. The act of giving should be in and of itself enough.

So do what you want to do. And good luck with it regardless of your decision. I wouldn’t recommend a trail angel journal, but it’s up to you and whoever.

See you out there.:cheers :cheers :cheers

Maintain

#7

When does trail magic stop being trail magic? When people start wanting to get recoginition and kudos for trail magic, then I’m against it. Wingfoot is right on this one and that is why he doesn’t allow pre-planned trail magic to be advertised. And I agree with him.

Hummmm.

#8

Good Points

Curious Angels

#9

Please Please Dont misunderstand me I simply wanted to advertise where it was being left. We did not and do not want to advertise who is leaveing it.I like the idea of posting the trail names that have signed the log and the dates that they had signed. We only signed our names And general area from, not addresses and pictures of us. We live 2 hours drive from Trail . We drop it off and leave. We dont hang around for praise or anything like that. We only refill on weekends.We only post that we are from NC so that people will know that Southern Hospitality is still around here in the South. We Dont want anyone to think we do it for self boast, so if a journal would in anyway look as if we were, well then a journal is not the way to go. I was just Curious. Thanks for input already and for anymore to come.

Curious Angels

#10

The best kind of trail magic to me always was the unexpected kind. Especially if it unexpected from the angel as well as the hiker. I got a lift one day from a retired couple who were out in their RV traveling around. They stopped to look at a map when I walked out of the woods. After talking a while they gave me a ride to the store then the hotel both of which were out of their way. It was such an unexpected act of kindness that I cherish it to this day. That being said a kind act is a kind act and I applaud you for your good deeds.

Big B

#11

If I show up at a road crossing and you have water or brownies or whatever for me, it doesn’t matter to me if you announced it ahead of time on the internet or if you just decided to show up today. Don’t listen to the people who tell you what “real” trail magic should be. They may be critical here, but you can bet that if they were on the receiving end of your magic, they wouldn’t care if the magic was announced beforehand.

Magic is magic, and there are no rules!!! :slight_smile:

Check out Meadow Mary’s PCT journal. She is a traveling trail angel along the PCT. Her main purpose is to provide support for her hiker husband Billy Goat, but Mary also does a lot of magic for other PCT hikers. She puts water out in dry sections, often includes fruit with her water caches, and gives hikers rides into town. In 2003 and 2004, she had journals in the PCT section of trailjournals. I’d suggest you set up an AT journal similar to Meadow Mary’s PCT journal.

Keep the magic coming! And don’t listen to the naysayers.

yogi

www.pcthandbook.com

yogi

#12

Big B has a good point. The surprise of it is where the “magic” comes from. I think a more interesting idea would be a journal about trail magic, but you never told anyone where it was. Plus, you might have anyone out there on the interent out to sabotage your acts of kindness. But generally I also agree with Wingfoot on advertised trail “magic”.

Tha Wookie

#13

I just want to say THANK YOU …!!..I think it is a very cool thing to do and Yogi is right… we always enjoy it… whether we know it is coming or not. I think it is amazing that so many folks do it !..When I am close to the trails I do it too cuz I know how I feel when I recieve it. Don’t let anyone scare ya away … :)…In fact, if ya want to come out to Alaska I can hook ya up with some trails out here… see ya out there…

yappy

#14

I sure agree with Yogi! It’s especially nice to learn the names of the hikers who stopped by. IMHO. :tongue You rock on guys and thanks!

Lady Di

#15

Tha Wookie, I have been reading your journal on the PCT. Great Reading. Funny to be telling my friends about the great photos and reading and then finding you again.

Trail angels. I Love to meet the hikers we meet when we do trail magic. I love to hear about their experiences on the trail and wish then good karma and good prayers that they find it all to finish with their dream.

A journal from the Trail Angels would be great reading, and posting it on the web would be great also.

firefly

#16

Since when does a gift need to be anonymous?? The giver usually puts their name on Christmas packages. And are Christmas gifts less fun if you know Christmas is coming? Most people think it makes it MORE fun.

If someone is kind and generous enough to give away trail magic, it is up to them to decide if it’s announced, what it is, and who gets it, just like most other gifts in the world. It’s also up to the receiver to accept or not as they see fit.

The overwhelming majority of hikers like trail magic. Give in whatever way makes you happy. Thanks to all the Trail Angels out there!!

Colter

#17

Well I would like to first off Thank all of you for your input on this matter. I have tried to Contact Zip & Leif about starting an Angel journal, no response just yet. I will say that I am leaning toward starting a Angel Journal that will give hints for where the magic has been left, sorta like a treasure hunt. And possibly post some picture of the Magic container etc. I also really liked the idea of posting who has signed our magic journal and when they came through. We love leaveing magic and no one can dampen our desire to do so. I would like to hear from all of you about what would be good items to leave for Magic. Of course I am, aware canned foods are not practical. We have been leaving things such as : Capri Sun Drinks, Mtn Dews, Pepsi,
Chai tea bags, individual coffee packets , Candy Bars, Cheese and peanut butter crackers,Pull String Cheese, Gum, Blueberry loaves ( little debbie) Cheerio ceral bars, nutri grain bars, Small pull top cans of peaches and other fruit,Jello pudding packs, Quaker oatmeal bites, and of course being from the South the ever so popular instant grits :0). Any suggestion on other items that would be more desireable? Should we leave first aid items? I have read and know from experience that fresh fruit is nice to receive, we were just affraid with the extremly cold temps right now that fresh fruit might not hold up as well. We will probably put fresh fruit later on in the spring when things warm up a bit. Thanks Again to all for your input thus far and would love to hear your thoughts on the items that would be better to leave. Take care and keep hiking, and keep an eye peled for Magic on the trail.
Curious Angels In Western NC

Curious Angels

#18

I too agree with Yogi, Yappy, Colter, etc. I don’t see anything wrong with giving gifts and doing things to help others even if it’s not anonymous at all. As if those who give are supposed to creep around in hiding, making sure no one knows who they are. I loved it when I could actually meet and thank the trail angels, and it made ME feel good to see them feel good to know they were making ME feel good. What a great vicious cycle. We live in such a cynical world, so often filled with criticism and negativity, so I think any good deed, any kindness, is something to be celebrated, no matter how big or small. And the kindnesses I experienced along the A.T. (and other trails), both from other hikers (ie. another hiker filtering water for me without my asking, or helping me get my frozen tent poles apart) or from non-hikers, who offered rides, gave out goodies or even invited me and others into their homes, really made me happy and revived (?), rejuvenated (?) … whatever … my view of people in general. One can get really down on society sometimes, but those on and along the A.T.–for the most part–were a great breath of fresh air. So thank you, trail angels, for what you do. None of us should expect it, but I believe we should be gracious and appreciative of it when the trail magic comes our way.

ramkitten

#19

firefly, thanks for the comments. you might like www.thawookie.com, which focuses on our most recent hike along the West Coast Trail.

About the magic, everyone has made some good points. Indeed, magic is a great thing, and is always appreciated from everyone except from the tighest of asses.

I like the idea to leave “hints” or “clues”, with the pictures. Still not sure about the journal idea, but I guess why not?

Tha Wookie

#20

people have journals that consist only of 41 prep entrys. so why not. it may be intersesting for some folks, and could also serve as a kind of hiker locator. take pictures of everyone you meet. write about the experience. some may find it interesting. if they dont, they dont have to read it.

milo