The "Ultimate" Trail Magic 1998

Dale Temm, AMC Maine Chapter member

On Friday, September 11th Bruce Moulton, Ray Ronan and I arrived at a gravel pit in the Bigelow area. We had sent out flyers to the area post offices two weeks in advance announcing a "Trail Magic" weekend. Our vehicles were loaded with burgers, cookies, soda, milk, fruit and even a full size gas grill. Our predetermined mission was to cook a meal for all thru hikers who passed by us from Friday through Monday, September 14th. We came prepared with not only food, but supplies that the hikers might need. First aide supplies, toilet paper, gear repair items, duck tape and even batteries. We offered to dispose of their trash and gave out many heavy duty trash bags for pack raincovers. Many AMC and MATC volunteers arrived on Saturday - Val Taylor, Peter and Janet Roderick, Dave and Zack Bragdon and Jennie Warner. They all arrived with misc. food items for the hikers, including watermelon, plums, soda and many different types of homemade goodies (killer brownies and gingersnap cookies). Some of the most sought after items were Janet's homemade brownies, veggie burgers, juice and fresh cucumbers. On Saturday we served 19 hikers, which depleted our food supply. We quickly made a shopping list and the Rodericks volunteered to make a "food run" to Kingfield. Thanks to Janet and Peter we were able to offer our full range of items for the rest of the weekend. To our surprise, out of the 28 thru hikers, we served, five had mini video cameras along with them. The "Trail Magic" volunteers will appear on film! Two of the hikers even have a web site about their thru hike.

The hikers all signed our ledger and these are some of the comments:

"Seasons" has this to say, "Thanks for the bananas & gorp & bread & apple juice and toilet paper! And the good company, too!

"Punster" says, " Wow! Trail Magic all the way up here in Maine! Thank you so much for all your kindness & effort - we do appreciate it!

"Grunt" says, " Thank goodness for Trail Magic on this drizzling day. Thank you so much for everything."

"Soul to Soul" tries to make a deal - "Wow! These guys are great! I'm sorry to all of those behind me, but these people have agreed to be my personal entourage. Ray is my trailside chef, Val is my fashion consultant.... God bless you all, for blessing us ----"

"Johnny Hoppleseed" says, "in for the best break on the trail. Thanks a lot. It's like stumbling into a family reunion that you didn't know you were family, but yet, you are."

"Tupack Sumore" has this to say, Most amazing Trail Magic yet. You guys have thought of everything. It means so much to us to have things like this. Thank you x00x's Just the thing I needed. Northbound & Down

"Thane of Gilliam" says, "Ray, thanks for the burgers & beer last night, and breakfast this morning was surpurb! Hope all goes well in the future."

We certainly enjoyed helping the hikers this year. It was very rewarding and we have expanded plans to help them next year. It was a lot of fun!
If your interested in helping with next year's event, feel free to e:mail me for more information. [email protected]