One of My Fondest Memories of Serendipity On The Appalachian Trail
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- Опубликовано: 5 мар 2024
- Hey y'all! Back with another Campfire Story-time video! You can watch the others here: • Trail Story-Time
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I think I speak for everyone when I say that we NEED MORE CONTENT LIKE THIS!!!!!!!! This was my favorite video that youve done in quite some time. The others are great to and i love them as well but everyone loves a good campfire story.
Among the Quakers in my family, they'd call that "the hand of God". Thanks for sharing a reminder of how the lives we touch shape each other in endless ways.
YUP..really great.
My worst day of my entire thru hike in 2023. I was hiking cliffs in New York. It was pouring rain and I didn’t realize it was the 1000 year flood. I just knew it was like hiking through a waterfall. I fell 3 times on slick rocks and chipped my elbow. Then the thunderstorm hit and I was still climbing cliffs on an exposed ridge. I finally just got down off the trail and the ridge at a cliff I just couldn’t climb and huddled under my umbrella in the tree line. I was exhausted and just beat.
Two other thru hikers passed me and had trouble getting up the same cliff in the downpour. They saw me below the trail and checked to see if I was ok. And even though I said I was OK, they could tell I really wasn’t. One of them searched out a way around the cliff.
Shortly he returned without his pack and took mine, he said we were almost done with the ridge and showed me the way around that cliff and down off the ridge where he had left his pack. They invited me to hike with them the rest of the day.
I continued to see them on the trail off and on the rest of the hike and I ran into them again and we summited Katahdin the same day.
It was a random act of kindness on my worst day on trail that made such a difference. There were so many others too. The hot day when I was ready to cry and found a cooler full of cold sodas. The Moose burgers and Lobster trail magic in Maine. Someone finding my missing umbrella and returning it to me.
The airline broke my trekking poles on the flight to Atlanta. I had booked a shuttle straight from the airport to Amicalola where I discovered they were broken. Thousands of miles from home, practically 0 experience and two duct taped poles, I started my 2022 thru hike attempt figuring if I got to Neels gap I'd buy new ones. The day before Blood Mountain, I camped with 2 section hikers. We hiked together for the day and their hike ended at Neels Gap. I was gifted a set of their poles. Moose thank you so much!!!! Those suckers now have over 1500 miles on them and have so much sentimental value that I get emotional looking at them and your kindness. Just one way that the trail provided
Great story of how God provides for us in our times of need!
I had a similar experience on the AT last year. My first week on trail, I came down into a small, unnamed gap in the late afternoon, and decided to stop for some food and rest. I had my snack and laid out my foam pad to lay down and relax in the sun. Some time later, I woke up to rain on my face. I had fallen asleep and a storm had rolled in and I was already getting wet, along with my gear, which was still out of my pack. I packed up and checked Far Out for the nearest shelter or campsite, but there wasn't anything for quite a while. So I started moving as fast as I could and within a hundred feet saw an old dirt road kind of like the one you described. Gravelly and unused. Then to my amazement I saw a pickup truck across the road and down a bit with two guys getting in. I ran over waving at them just like you did as they were backing up to drive off. Turns out they were from Louisiana and just traveling around mountain biking. They were super kind and immediately offered me a ride to the nearest hostel. They even rearranged the gear in their packed storage box to make room for my pack and cleared out the back seat to make room for me. They drove me to the nearest town, in the wrong direction for them, but the hostel was full and wouldn't take me even though the rain was coming down hard. They then took me to the next hostel, which was also full, but agreed to let me camp in their yard. I stayed there for three days waiting out the thunderstorm, and it ended up being one of my favorite times "on trail". Those guys were probably the only car on that road in months, if not years.
This was wonderful to watch. Please consider doing more of these. Nothing like a good campfire story. Thanks for sharing!
Divine providence. You have a Shepard who never sleeps. Thank you.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”-Aesop
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story Dixie . You’re amazing ! Random acts of kindness ! We’re all on this earth walk together !
That’s one of the things I love about you, Dixie. Always providing the life lesson ❤
I have only done sections of the AT, but my short trips out there have truly shown me how kind people on the trail and those trail angels can be. I have experienced it each time I hike a section.
I've tried to carry that over to my home trails and have had the opportunity to help several people.
One in particular was running into a biker that had traveled a couple hours to bike the trail only to realize he didn't bring socks for his biking shoes. He had worn sandles to drive. He asked me if I, by chance, had even a dirty pair. I reached into my pack and gave him my AT darntoughs. He wanted to Venmo me. I got to say. "The trail provides," and that is what we do for each other.😅
Dixie, you were in a hurry to catch up with your friends. And you did! Brand new friends who took a chance on you, you wild woman, and their kindness and friendship will live with you forever. I so enjoy the fireside chats. Now, I’m going back to the beginning and watch again. It’s a little game of where did Aaron put it. I assume it’s still Aaron. I like that guy!
This sounds like a great regular segment: Storytime With Wanderlust
What a heart-warming story!
More Campfire Stories please. I like the yellow campfire light on your face too. It adds some ambiance.
Awesome!!!! One of my favorite camp stories ever. Thanks for sharing!
That's a story that helps to restore your faith in humanity. Mine was not as grand but I had not one or even two but three acts of kindness in September. I live in the UK and I'd suffered a stroke some time ago. Well, I was out seeing if I could still backpack (fortunately I can) and I went to the Quantocks which is a very small area of high ground in the south of England from where I could easily bale if necessary. Firstly, there was a pub (a place selling alcoholic and soft drinks) were I had hoped to fill my water bottles but it was shut. But I was offered a cup of tea by a total stranger who also filled my bottles. The second act of kindness was that a water source which I was relying on was inaccessible but another total stranger gave me more than a litre of water that he'd bought. OK it wanted filtering because he had been drinking from the bottle but that was no problem as I had my filter with me. And the third act of kindness was the following morning when yet another total stranger used his all-terrain vehicle to run home and refill the bottle from his tap. So whilst the trip was still a success it definitely was made better by three acts of kindness and I am eternally grateful to all three people.
Not exactly a hike, but in the early 1970s - after highschool - a buddy and I hitch-hiked and rode freight trains across the country. We encountered numerous times of kindness from strangers, some that appeared at just the right time. I'll never forget the two bikers on choppers who picked us up in a very bad part of a big city, as evening was overtaking the streets, and delivered us to a much safer place. Kindness can happen when and where you least expect it.
I have a few stories of trail serendipity.
First, when I was a brand new backpacker going SOBO on the AT in Maine, I was carrying way too heavy gear that didn't fit me well. My backpack was too tall for my torso and caused the shoulder straps to rub my shoulders raw. I was heading down a mountain at about 5 pm, towards the shelter .25 mile away that I was planning to stay at that night, and it was starting to rain a little.
I stepped aside on a rock for a NOBO couple heading uphill. They stopped to say hello and mentioned they were heading for the next shelter that night, 5 or 6 miles further. Then they looked at me and asked, "How's that pack feeling for you?" I told them, "Not too good," and showed them my shoulders. They told me they were pack fitters at REI and they wanted to help me out. They stood there on the rocky side of the mountain for 20 minutes in the rain, adjusting my pack until it fit as comfortably as possible, before heading on for the rest of their miles. I never saw them again, but I still remember Mother Goose and Father Time for their kindness.
Another time I was section hiking on the Colorado Trail and came to a climb that was a very steep, very long side hill trail with full sun exposure. I was struggling so hard mentally and physically because it felt like this segment might be more than I could handle. It was hot and dry, the climb went on forever, it was at high altitude (the climb topped out at 12,500 feet), and the steepness of the sidehill made it a bit nerve wracking. One wrong move and I'd be tumbling downhill. I was starting to feel that the climb was winning and I wasn't tough enough to make it up. I found a rare place to sit on a rock just off the side of the trail and was sitting under my umbrella for shade, contemplating giving up and heading back down to the road crossing. A man came hiking uphill and stopped to greet me. He asked how I was, and I told him I was fine. He then asked how I was REALLY doing. I told him I thought the hill was beating me.
He said I could do it and we would climb up together. He checked if I had water, loaned me one of his trekking poles and said, I'm going to hike to that tree and wait for you in the shade. Take as much time as you need. We proceeded this way up the mountain until we reached a water source where there was a spot to rest at an old ruined cabin. We watered up, had a rest in the shade and a snack break. He checked on my food supplies, then gave me a couple snacks and tortillas to tide me over til my next resupply. He then admitted he had been feeling just as beaten as me when he came upon me sitting there. He said "everything I was feeling, I saw on your face. Helping you up the mountain helped me, too." After this, I was feeling much better, but he opted to stick with me until the Wilderness border ahead. He was going further than me that night, so he snapped my photo at the Wilderness sign and went on ahead of me. I never saw him again, but I'll never forget how he saved my hike with simple help and encouragement.
My most amazing moment of coincidence was at a picnic table where both pct and john muir trail hikers frequent. I was on a few of rest days hanging out with a gent and his grown daughter and son in law. We asked a lone hiker if we could share the picnic table and he grumble a yes. The SIL was super engaging and started making conversation with the grumpy guy. Turns out the family Id been resting up with is brother/uncle to Will Steger. who is an arctic explorer noted for taking a team of scientists to the arctic and their findings to congress. The guy who was at the table had been his pilot for a few years! He had all kinds of details about the dogs and scary moments in the arctic. His attitude perked right up and they even called Will Steger and the two chatted. It was a phenomenal meeting!
I'd love to hear more of these trail stories during the next several months! ☺️
love the story Dixie. Hope Kyle and Liv flourish in their careers. Trail Magic again.
WOW--what a great story--thank you!
What a wonderful story! People are so dear!
I was section hiking on the AT and 3 water.sourses were dry. I was out.of water and dehydrated and still had 4 miles to get to a shelter with hopefully water. I was praying so hard. When I came up from the third dry water source there was a man out for a day hike. I asked him if he had any water hw could give me. He gave me a liter! He was definitely an angel sent by God.
Love these campfire stories. Though I have to say, my favorite story from the AT was when you told us about the Moon "following" you. 😊
Very cool story. The trail provides.
It is so easy to leave something behind no matter how you organize your great. Sometimes it is being totally blind eyed like leaving your stove in the middle of the camp table or your tent poles folded and in the bag.
Thank you 😊
Wow, just wow. Thank you for sharing.
I loved this, thank you!!!
Wgat a great story dixie, it's called karma, you are a wanderfull person , giving off good energy, and you get what you give plus more , love from rob in UK X.
Great story!
Wednesday, March 06th: Great story. Thank you for sharing. Happy Trails! Ross08
The world works in funny ways….❤
One of your best!
Fantastic storey
Awesome story, I've loved all of them so far.
Thanks for all the great video's. I have learned a lot from you as I get ready for my PCT 2024 Thru Hike. Plant Papa
Thank you, Dixie! This is just wonderful and uplifting! 💚🏕
Four years ago, a friend of mine and I were on a multi-day backpacking trip in the Wind Rivers. About four days in, we met up with my friend's college-age son, who had been hiking the reverse direction with some of his college buddies. We had parked cars at either end of the trail and were going to exchange keys. But when we met up with the younger guys, my friend's son was in pretty bad shape, having aggravated a knee injury. It had swollen up like a duckpin bowling ball. So what with him needing to get off trail, and me also deciding I had seen enough for that trip, we decided to hike out by a more direct route, while the rest of the college guys went back to retrieve the car we had left. But when we got the bailout trailhead, of course, we had no car there. We had figured that, worst came to worst, we could hike to town or hitchhike. But we didn't need to do that, because a couple agreed to put us in the back of their pick-up (it had a cap on it) and drove us down into Pinedale. We realized then how fortunate we were because the distance to town would have meant many more multiple days of hiking to get there. We had no real concept of how stranded we were. That couple really saved us.
Wow, that was amazing, most folk are always willing to help a damsel in distress aren't they?
Soooo. Did you hike back and get your electronics and wallet??
Heart-warming story. ❤❤
I felt bad we didn’t give you a ride back where we picked you up from! We ended up seeing a later show at different theater that night. I remember it like it was yesterday. So crazy how that all worked out 😂.
Always an awesome video and what a great story as well as a good message for all of us. ❤😊
I have definitely experienced the light provided by strangers! You never know what's ahead of you so keep going and pushing ahead, as the doomsday you expect might just turn into a win, thanks to a random person seeing your need. Have faith in people!
Devine intervention
Thanks for sharing, Dixie. A great virtual campfire story..
God was obviously watching over you, directing this couple at the "perfect time" you needed help!
Oh BOY THIS MADE MY EVENING!! THANK YOU DIXIE 🍿
LOVE this story! I would love to hear more like this please! ❤❤
This is a good story. Like the campfire atmosphere. This sort of thing happens to me enough. I recall that episode "going back home for pet".
Have to briefly pause it to watch Nature (Woodpeckers tonight) but will resume.
I love this story
I believe Carl Jung called this “synchronicity.”
Thanks for the story, best one since that time when you told us you were chased by the moon!
Great story. But I was wondering if you found your lost electronics bag.
I was wondering the same thing.
Yeah, did you find you misplaced electronics bag ?
Me too! Didja find them????
From what I remember of her AT videos, she did.
WOW! What luck. Can't wait to find out what you're going to do next. Hope you get back on the trail soon. Thanks for the wedding video.
That's the power of God. Be well wild woman.😊
Great story Jess, I think a good way to beat cabin fever would be to take Gray on an overnight campout in the backyard and regale her with some stories of your hikes. Know what you mean about cabin fever though, planning on a camp/hike in May, by that time I should have the section of trail memorized.
What a great story!
Not happenstance. Devine intervention. He puts everything together.
As always, amazing😊
Wonderful.
Thanks!
Good to hear a yarn
I hope you can do the last part of the CDT again this coming summer. You missed that beautiful country cuz of snow and ended up road-walking the end. Hope you can do it again and see that country clearly. Please take us with you!
@Galiuros
0 seconds ago
I love this! Stories help define us.
I've always heard that there are no coincidences . But, that doesn't mean there aren't any happenstances.
Great story Dixie u forgot to mention and i assume you found the electronics and more importantly your wallet? I now always check doulble check when i take hiker breaks.. Buen Camino 24..
But did you find your bag?! lol
👍👍😎✌
I'd love to attempt the Appalachian Trail, but it is financially impossible for me, plus i couldnt get enough time off work.
Hard not to believe in Fate
I am dying to know if you found the electronics bag with your wallet. I could never go 5 miles from my cat hole and find it again😬.
👍🐿👍
I hope your electronics bag and wallet were still where you left them.
Great story, but are you going Yankee on us? I heard “Appal-AYSH-un twice.
Wait, you never finished the story! did you get your electronics bag back? lol
It's not happen, stance. That's Jesus Christ 🙌 🙏 protecting you. AMEN
Wonderful story!!! I just wish you'd change that from "The trail provides" to "God provides" as it's obvious that God was watching out for you throughout that.
People have died because they trusted Siri and their cell phone maps. And gotten into serious trouble. YOu really need to have a paper map too and double-check so that you are sure you know the territory! and what direction you are going in.
Wow, Dixie, that's quite the story.
@time 8:48....you can't explain it? There's only one explanation....God's providence.
Sounds a lot like the Lord took care of you.
Great story but I'd be giving the thanks to the Lord, not the trail.
No need for me to add my comment after reading yours! Amen, and praise the Lord for His working in and thru all of our lives, whether someone is a believer or not.🙏🏼
No need to be so snarky
@@henrieketebrake4635 Not snarky. I love Dixie.
@@Pack.LeaderSorry if you didn't intend to be. The wording just gave some undertones.
Nothing happens by chance, and the trail doesn't really provide anything..but the Lord does. Whether it's through the people we encounter or the "unbelievable luck" we can't explain.
Every such interaction is either a "call to" or a "confirmation" of faith in Christ Jesus.
Less talk more hiking.
You’ve really been phoning it in lately.
How long can your business last with this kind of neglect?
Well that was rude.
If you don’t like hearing the truth; move on.
@@Navy1977Sharing an opinion that is contrary to your own is not rude. If you don’t like hearing the truth; hike on.
@@Navy1977FYI
Even she realized that her comment was rude and deleted it in shame. Perhaps before you had a chance to read it.
@Navy1977 Your first assumption was correct. Her comment, which she has since deleted, was rude.
@@cash102473She's not medically cleared to go hiking. Do you expect her to risk her life for your entertainment? Feel free to take a break until she's back out there if you're so bored.
Such a great story that started from shit😂😂😂. Bless you Dixie