Date: 2008-06-02
From: The Doyle

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: clear sky

M and I decided to meet for an early breakfast before she heads out. She is an easy person to be around, probably because she is an excellent listener and is well grounded (takes after my wife). Toots and Burples join us in this calorie bingeing. The rest of the plans for this "nero" of a day are the typical hiker domestic duties,..resupply, update blog, home stuff, etc. So my challenge in getting these things done is access to a computer and a ride to the store. Going back to last year I come up with one name Trail Angel Mary. Mary is one of those people who seem to devote so much time and energy to helping hikers; last year she shuttled Lenny and me to Port Clinton. She lives around the corner from the hotel and after a brief reintroduction when remembered us. Telling of her of my plight re: the computer being unavailable at the Doyle until 11 am, she quickly offered hers. The next request was a ride to the store. She hand errands of her own to run and when she returned when handed me her car keys, allowing me to get my supply. Most shuttle drivers charge $2 per mile; Mary, almost apologetically, asked for some gas money. This Trail Angel practice would continue to amaze me, especially in the next few days.So the next and last town task, especially if one is in Duncannon, is to have a last meal at the Dowly. Pat cooked up a great steak for me. I load up my pack and get directions out of town; coincidentally that takes me past the ice cream stand. Okay.So my hike is short 4.6 miles to the Shelter.An aside..on Trail Magic and how amazing it is.I have talked before about Trail Magic and how generous the locals are. By locals I mean any non-hiker who offers some kind action, cold drink, food..basically any good deed that is unsolicited. Remember the art of "Yogiing"; a practice hikers use where they might approach someone and in a very subtle fashion beg. An example is that if a hiker is walking through a state park as part of the Trail and passes a family having a picnic, the hiker might say (with a very hungry look on their face) "That smells very good", with the hope of being invited to share. So in my way of thinking, a yogi good deed is a bit different than a Trail Angel act.So my story is that I get into this shelter and am greeted by a fellow staying at the shelter. He is a bit vague about his plans, and shares with me that he is waiting on his last paycheck, which has been misrouted. This has caused him considerable angst. Through further conversation, it is evident that he is unemployed (hence the last paycheck), down to his last $5, and also homeless. He doesn't seem like he is even yogiing, panhandling or anything of the sort. Just seems to be sharing his predicament as I ask him questions. He is also easy going and it seems like he will find a way to resolve his travel problems.So to skip ahead, the next morning I ask him what he is going to do. He needs to go back to Duncannon, but they don't have emergency housing for the homeless. I do the easy thing, giving him $15 for a camping site and food. This is not about what I did. In Chicago, I typically don't respond to panhandlers.I am fortunate that $15 is easy to part with; to him, it was a place to stay and a meal.So I would like to use this as the start to a couple of episodes of Trail Magic and the thoughtfulness of people over the next days.