[pct-l] Foie Gras Thru-hikers and an exhortation to not pay Trail Angels for services rendered

[abiegen at cox.net]

Someone wrote:

> Trail magic can be a double edged sword.? The white flour pancakes, greasy 
> breakfast, processed junk food, snacks and coffee I've indulged in at trail 
> magic stops were welcome, but not near as healthy as the trail food I pack. 
>? When one eats trail magic food, their pack stays heavy with the meal they 
> should have eaten and and/or the fuel they should have used.?  In my case, 
> I never get the burst of energy? from eating junk that I get from eating 
> wholesome trail food.? Even though it is a diuretic and not conducive to 
> hydration, the coffee is especially tempting although it makes my knees 
> hurt. 

We, in the great state of California, which is marginally a piece of the PCT, passed a law this year outlawing Foie Gras as cruel and unusual punishment. If thru-hikers are being force feed by these so-called Trail Angels in Washington, I would hope that the put upon Thru-hikers alert the legislature in that state to start the process to eliminate this cruel practice in that state as well. I also think that Foie Gras would be a cool trail name for this poor person.

I would also like to say that I am proud of the fact that I have never paid a Trail Angel for services rendered. Never. And I would encourage you to think about that too. I have given every Trail Angel a donation so that they will have the ability to provide the same wonderful trail magic that I got to future hikers. Think of it as paying forward not as paying for services. The Trail Angel is doing something nice for you and you are doing something nice for future thru-hikers. I want future hikers to experience the same wonderful surprise that I did.

I know that many of the Trail Angels are on fixed incomes and we are in the middle of the second great depression. You may think that the inflation rate is low right now, but in reality the dropping prices on electronics is hiding the rising prices on food. And buying food is where Trail Angels spend most of their money. Another Trail Angel wrote in about a 95 year old friend who would like to do trail magic - the heart is willing and able but the wallet is worn. I would like to be able to do something to help them to be able to help others. That's what trail magic is all about. Everyone helping everyone. It all comes around.

Lost and Found and Mother Goose fed 72 hikers. SEVENTY-TWO. And had leftovers that they passed on to another set of Trail Angels. Think of the last dinner party you had. How many people did you have over and how much did it cost? Seventy-two? I don't think so. It must have cost them well over a couple of hundred dollars, not to mention (which I am about to do anyway) the time spent running around buying all that stuff, driving, etc.. And it doesn't sound like they forced people to pay or that they turned away anyone. And it was in Washington where most thru-hikers feel that everyone has forgotten about them.

Lost and Found wrote:

> Most hikers were generous with their monetary contributions, which we greatly appreciated. Certainly helps to offset 
> out-of-pocket expenses and gas for the car.

HELLO?! That sounds like a "thank you" to me, not a smear against the 47% percent or loafers and moochers who are never going to pay anyway. I can only guess why people who took offense to this have been leaving off that last part of the sentence, "which we really appreciated." Yes, I read it a second time, I'm sure that's a THANK YOU.

So tell the Foie Gras Thru-hikers that no one has more control over what goes into your face than themselves. Tell them to chill out; sit down with the rest of the crowd who are eating the magic food, pull out your sacred, home packed food and eat that while you enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow hikers. No one will make fun of you for doing that. Feel the magic of friendship and enjoy the surprise. Or as Piper says, enjoy the chair. When's the last time you got to sit in a chair on the trail? After over two thousand miles a chair would sound pretty magical.

TrailHacker 
--
"When my feet hurt, I can't think straight"
Abraham Lincoln