That One Time I Picked Up Hitchhikers...
There I was, coming off the Appalachian Trail (AT) in the Great Smokies. I was just doing a day hike to explore the AT in a new state. As I walked to my car, I noticed three guys—thru-hikers—chatting away. One of them caught my eye, and I saw the sign he had that read he was looking for a ride. Dazed from the hike and trying to eavesdrop on their conversation, I turned around to go to my car, and that's when I asked:
"Are you going to Trail Days?"
"Yes, I am. I'm Gr8ful,” he introduced himself, “and I'm looking for a ride. Can you take me?"
"Yes, I can," I said quietly, nervously…thinking to myself, "What the fuck did I just do?"
But my body and heart knew what I had done, and they were on board with it!
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Before I delve into the rest of this story, I should address the obvious elephant in the room.
"Bel, why did you pick up random strangers? They could have killed you! You are insane. This is dangerous…”
Trust me, I felt a little uneasy at first, but I texted two friends who are also thru-hikers, and they encouraged me, saying I was safe. One of them did mention that thru-hikers can be a little weird, which I can relate to.
Plus, I would meet them at Trail Days in Damascus, Virginia, the next day. It would only be a 2.5-hour drive. I was staying at a campground in the park, and I had been watching and engaging with the guys for about 20 to 25 minutes. More importantly, I listened to myself and my gut. So, I felt safe……..
As I rearranged my life in my RAV4 (I was car camping to test out my new vehicle, which I had bought in November; it would allow me to sleep under the stars with my panoramic moonroof), I moved things around to fit two extra people in my SUV while listening to the guys talk.
After getting in, I yelled over, "You ready, boys?"
They piled into my RAV4, and we were off to Gatlinburg to get them a proper meal and to explore.
Gr8ful was from Texas, and his friend Bowie was from Germany. Now, these aren't the boys' real names; they are the trail names they were given while hiking.
When we reached Gatlinburg about 35 minutes later, pure joy overtook me. I watched Bowie get super excited in Gatlinburg—a town I didn't particularly like. He was like a little kid in a candy shop, constantly saying, "Look over here! Look over here!"
It was like Disney and Vegas rolled into one. Funny enough, I've never been to either.
But I get his enthusiasm.
We had some Italian food (a little trail magic from me) and then proceeded to do my favorite thing in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg: trying moonshine. Bowie was riding high on his excitement, while Gr8ful and I appreciated the moment.
Afterward, we stopped at a store to get real food for our dinner—naturally, steak. Then I took them to my favorite spot to see bears, Cades Cove Loop, which was right next to my campground. As we drove, it warmed my heart when the boys said they really appreciated seeing the Smokies from this perspective rather than being in the "green tunnel" on the trail. They explained that they didn't get to see many views on the trail, but seeing the bears and the mountains they had hiked provided them with a much-needed perspective.
After seeing a few bears, it was time to head back to camp, cook those steaks, and chat the night away about the trail and life.
If that day was crazy and joyful, the following morning on our drive to Virginia was even more so. It began when we came across a mother bear and three cubs. As I left the campground, I couldn't stop laughing while listening to the American National Anthem (requested by Bowie because he really loves America), Germany's National Anthem, and the Texas Anthem.
I laughed as we stopped at a gas station at 9 a.m. to get a corn dog and engaged in random conversations. Then, as with any road trip with strangers, we had some heartfelt discussions that made me feel like I was definitely meant to have this experience with these boys.
We attended Trail Days and camped right next to each other, spending time together while still giving each other space, as they wanted to explore. I had a panel to speak about "Blood, Sweat, Tears" where you can find a published short story of mine.
Before my trip to the Smokies and Damascus, I had been feeling burnt out and thought my connection with people was lacking. But the universe reminded me that sometimes you need to be open and say yes.
Yes, even if the logical thing to do is to say no.
Yes, even if you are nervous or scared.
Yes, even if you aren't sure.
Yes, even if you feel left out.
Yes, even if the world feels like it's on fire.
As the saying goes in the hiking community, "The trail provides." It provides what you NEED and not always what you WANT.
In this case, the trail and travel provided me with JOY, and I didn't realize I needed that. I knew I needed a break. I needed space. I needed adventure. But joy isn't usually part of my vocabulary. Fun, play, and adventure—yes. But joy? Not really.
But now, I will always think of those random 48 hours as pure, unfiltered, childlike joy.
I may have provided trail magic, a free meal, and a ride, but these boys gave me joy, laughter, and maybe even the crazy idea of hiking one day the entire AT…
On our last day together, while packing up camp, Bowie gave me a bottle opener shaped like the Appalachian Trail (AT) symbol. A guy who completed the trail had given it to him for inspiration, and Bowie passed it on to me as a thank-you for the weekend and because it was too heavy in his bag—ha!
That bottle opener now hangs on my desk at work as a reminder of my real life—the life of a traveler and a hiker. It serves as a reminder of the joy I feel, even when I’m stuck at my desk, caught in the rat race of life.
I want to thank you all for this unforgettable journey, whether you call it travel, the trail, or whatever kind of magic it is.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.