[pct-l] Trail *magic*

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

Wow Eric, I've attempted to compose the same email a few times but  
was never able to say it right. Thanks for saying it. Serendipity is  
what made my adventure truly magical.

Diane

On May 18, 2010, at 3:30 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>
> I know the trail community will inevitably evolve however it wants to
> regardless of my personal opinions, but I sure do wish we could put  
> the
> *magic* back into trail magic, and the *angel* back into trail angel.
>
> The original meaning of the term of trail *magic* was something  
> amazing and
> totally unexpected that drops into your lap as if by magic.  The  
> original
> meaning of the term trail *angel* was someone who appears out of  
> nowhere to
> help you right when you're in desperate need, like an angelic being.
>
> I think the theme here is "serendipity".  Serendipity is a  
> wondrous, magical
> thing that builds powerful experiences and memories that will be  
> with you
> for the rest of your life.  The man who coined the word in 1754  
> wrote, "_no_
> discovery of a thing you are looking for, comes under this  
> description".
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serendipity)  When we lose that sense of
> serendipity, all we're left with is an expectation of services.   
> Services
> are nice too.  They're useful.  But they're not magical.
>
> Ok, excuse me while I go wax nostalgic in the corner.
>
> Eric

Books I've written:
~ Piper's Flight
~ Adventure and Magic
~ Santa Barbara Hikes
http://stores.lulu.com/dianesoini