Outside Reading 3

                       Trail journals give a true insight onto real people and their real, true feelings. They instigate the livings and happenings of everyday thru-hikers. The thing I have been noticing more and more about these trail journals is the relation to trail magic. Trail magic is seemingly very controversial, but it is very hard, I have come to learn, to find an actual thru-hiker's journal or any of their opinions in person, saying that they think anything but greatness of trail magic. Most thru-hikers, especially in the moment, feel eternally grateful for trail magic; most of the time, because it is coming at the exact perfect time they need a pick up, fill, or just communitas. Trail magic seems like it would hinder the spiritual journey that most thru-hikers thrill to seek, however in the moment, most thru-hikers just see the gain and wisdom of trail angels and trail magic. They feel the overpowering love and affection that these people have for the trail and the ones hiking the trail, even though they almost never know the trail angel or vice versa. The trail is a special place where very special and magnificent things get to happen everyday of the trip, which is why they call it a journey; you just never know what you are going to experience that day until it gets there and then you just have to take it as it is and roll with it or be indifferent and moody and not feel or experience the real meanings of what it is to be on the trail and experience trail magic, thru-hiking, et cetera. If you Google trail journals trail magic, so many marvelous and magical (no pun intended) stories come up. Some about receiving, some about giving, some about both; but all of them about love and joy that they experienced among the trail. God Bless trail angels, and God Bless thru-hikers. On the trail, you are all equal. Give when you can, love when they need it, and most of all, hike everyday and for all of it. Have a Blessed day!