Date: 2004-08-07
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Manchester, VT
Miles today: 2.7

This amazing trail that is constantly delivering surprises, gave me the biggest one yet. Let me explain this truly large gesture that greeted me this morning.It all starts last year, when I went down to Georgia with the intention to hike all the miles on the AT I hadn't already done. This would be a rather large, 1800 miles section hike, not a Thru-hike. On my first day of what would only be a week out, I met Damp Dan. For the entire week, he and I hiked each day to the same location. A nicer guy you will not meet! But issues at home forced me to leave my hike after only the first week... Damp Dan, however, completed what some say was the hardest of years to Thru-hike due to excessive rain. He made it the whole way... A huge achievement!Later that year I contacted him to congratulate him and to ask for his counsel on my own Thru-hike this year. Throughout this journey I've dropped him a postcard or two. While in Dalton, Massachusetts, I answered his e-mail congratulating me on my progress.Well, Damp Dan and his wife Mary live outside of Boston. He figured with my current pace I'd be arriving in Manchester on Saturday morning, and since we hiked together before he knew my pattern. So he and Mary hatched a plan.Meanwhile, back on the mountain, I wake up Saturday morning early and pack up without breakfast to start the short 2.7 miles to the road where I'll try to hitch into town. As I emerge from the woods at 7:23 am and cross the road, I see a man walking over towards me. He says "I want to ask you a question.¢I don't totally know what else he said because the memory banks start processing his voice and then it hit me... Holy Cow, its Damp Dan! I screamed his name in shock. Mary and he had driven 4 hours the night before and then parked right at this trail crossing by 7 am because he knew I would be off the mountain early. I was stunned at this incredible act of Trail Magic and kindness! Damp Dan said he knew I'd be needing a ride into town with his wry smile. Holy Cow, Holy Cow!We went into Manchester and had breakfast and just talked and talked. They shared stories of their month hike in France and I shared stories of the AT. When I ask what they were planning for the day, Damp Dan informed me that they were here for me and wherever I needed to go they'd go. We all went to the laundromat, then to the outfitters and supermarket and of course the Post Office for my food drop and new tent. Later that day they dropped over for wine at the guest house I had a room at. With me by now was April Showers and Luna, they made it in midday and we all shared a room at Sutton's Place.The five of us laughed and talked out on the back patio before dinner. When it was time to say Goodnight, Damp Dan and Mary offered to take us back to the trailhead. But Luna & April Showers would need to run morning errands early, so I told them it wouldn't be necessary.As I sat in their car saying Goodnight, I was almost speechless at how to Thank Them!! Damp Dan had been treated so well by others on his Thru-hike the year before, he simply wanted to return the kindness... Pass it forward!I gave Mary a kiss on the cheek and shook Dan's hand. My heart was two times its normal size. If you've not seen the better side of humanity in the world you live in, try hiking the AT. You'll be amazed at what will find you! Thank you Damp Dan! Thank you Mary! You both are the best of what this world has. You've filled me with so much joy, I will keep my promise and pass it forward!!