Lifestyle of Wandering: Reflections of a Wanderer

Three AT thru-hikers, Weasel, Zambian Squirrel and Skunkfoot, I shuttled from Walkabout Outfitter to Daleville.

Hi, my name is Sandi, and I’m a trail magic-aholic. Wait! Before you go thinking something weird, that doesn’t mean that I like to go off in the woods and chant incantations while standing on a forest trail. Trail magic is a term that is used to describe something good that someone does for an Appalachian Trail (or any other long trail, I guess) thru-hiker.  There are many types of addictions. Of course, many of them are bad, however some of them are good. Mine is one of the good ones. I love helping people and I love backpackers/hikers. Put the two together and you have a winning combination.

Since I had some free time today I took the opportunity to make a few passes through the parking lot by the outfitter in Daleville (Outdoor Trails) and the hotels frequented by AT thru-hikers in that area. I had the good fortune of being able to give a few rides to some grateful hikers, then headed home. Not long after arriving home my phone rang. It was Walkabout Outfitters‘ Valley View Mall location asking if I was available to shuttle some hikers from the store back to the trail. Always excited to meet new hikers, I agreed to do the shuttle and headed out. Weasel, Zambian Squirrel and Skunkfoot were waiting when I got there. It was only a short ride, but I had a chance to chat with them during the drive back to Daleville and enjoyed listening to their stories. I feel that my life is enriched by each hiker I meet, more so than  they are by whatever I do for them. There are no strangers, just really cool people I have yet to meet. My prayer is that I was able to be a blessing to them and that I was a physical representation of God’s love for them as individuals. Safe hiking to all who risk the journey… May you each find what you are in search of.