Trail Magic

It's magical, really. Trail magic can be anything that assists a hiker.. and it's usually unexpected. Things such as food/drinks found along the trail, rides into town, strangers providing aid, etc. Usually trail magic comes in small packages, if you will. However, there are exceptions.. The trail magic I hit at Brown's Gap was anything but small.
Day hikers going in the opposite direction tell me of trail magic about 7 miles ahead. They didn't tell me what it was, just that it was there. I get super excited because two days before, I came across two coolers full of nothing. They were trail magic at one time, but not when I got there... So, I'm thinking to myself "I'm gonna get me some of that trail magic.. I don't care what it is!"
I arrive about at Brown's Gap in about 2.5 hours and see two huge tents set up, a trailer hooked up to a SUV, chairs everywhere, and a huge sign that says "Welcome AT thru hikers!" OMG! The mother-load!!
It's officially called "Brown's Gap Hiker Feed 2011" sponsored by the Rat Patrol. They are there set up for 3 days. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner to thru hikers, depending on what time you get there. Or, if you like, you can stay and have all 3. I rolled in for lunch, which was hamburgers, soda, candy, and "mana" -- and man, was it good! I was having such a great time with the food, people, and entertainment, I ended up staying for dinner. Can you believe they served steaks, corn on the cob done on the grill, homemade coleslaw, beans, soda, "mana", ham, cornbread, and fresh fruit for dinner?!
Most will agree that trail magic is a significant part of the AT experience. And it's not just about free food/drinks, etc. It's about the amazing people you meet, the stories you hear and share, the entertainment of it all... it's magical!

My plan for that day was to camp on top of Max Patch and watch the sunset and sunrise. I got to Max Patch with very little time to spare. I caught the last half of the sunset. Gail force winds kept me up most of the night.. thinking if my tent poles were going to snap or if my rain fly would end up in the valley below. But about 6 am, I didn't care! The sunrise was so beautiful! I've never seen such rich colors painting the sky!
All of that was two days ago. Here I am in Hot Springs, NC! Mile # 271. I'm taking a "nero" here. I only hiked 3 miles into town and now I'm staying at Elmer's Sunnybank Inn; an antiquey, Victorian, knic-knacky place. But full of charm! :-)