Date: 2014-04-23
From: Dalesville

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0

Over the last few days I have been fortunate to have experienced four cases of trail magic. Each case had its own ethical element and deserves separate analysis. The first case could barely be called trail magic at all. Walking along the trail I came upon an unopened package of pop tarts. It's interesting that you can't tell what type of pop tart it is from the tin foil labeling. Anyway, this was obviously dropped unintentionally and was fair game. Of course, in the civilized world, like on a sidewalk, very few people would eat such a find, no matter if it appeared sealed. In the woods however this represented several hundred calories that did not have to be backpacked in. So I stood there and ate both tarts and then stuffed the foil wrapper into my snack sack. I never could figure out what flavor they were but I would not buy them on purpose. The second case was more enjoyable. Crossing the road leading to Newport, late in the afternoon when I was tired and thirsty, I saw the two coolers just across the road. The note was from a Virginia Tech group congratulating thru hikers on completing one third of the trail. They were actually a bit premature but I wasn't in the mode to quibble. The large cooler was ice packed with sodas and the small cooler had packaged fudge and cupcakes. There was no trash, meaning to me that I was the first to find this horde of delights. I downed a Dr Pepper and a package of cupcakes then after considering whether I was being greedy, stayed to drink a Mountain Dew and some fudge. Did this cross the line? Was someone else deprived of a treat? My decision was mostly made on the fact that both coolers were full and it was unlikely many more hikers would be thru that day. It was a rationalization but at least I left the stash with many more servings for others who followed. The third case was serendipitous. I had decided to stop for water at a trout creek near a road. I took off my pack, waddled down to the edge of the creek next to a footbridge and filled my bags. The location was obviously used by anyone wanting water from this creek. Just as I was leaving I noticed a shiny spot under the water. It looked liked trash but turned out to be two unopened cans of coke. They were hidden. Why? Were some hikers cooling down their sodas? Why pick that spot? There was a house off to the east. Maybe they put them there to see what hikers would do. I drank the first can, crushed the container and threw it in my pack. I wanted the second can but decided someone else deserved the serendipity that I got when stopping for water. I left the can in the stream but made sure the shiny top was visible. I'm glad I made that decision and thought about recommending to hikers I might meet to stop for water at the creek. I didn't meet anyone. The last instance was coming into Daleville just before getting to my motel and Mexican restaurant that I knew was only minutes away. I couldn't resist looking in the multiple boxes that were along the trail, just to see what they offered but not intending to take anything. Any ethical faux pas was avoided this time because all the boxes were emptied (trash).Trail magic is great and the people who supply it are a major wonder of the trail. There is a line to cross on being greedy but sometimes that line seems hazy when you are staring at a cold soda after a long day of hiking.