NFCT Trail Angels
What are Trail Angels? When may you find them? Who were our Angels on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT)?
The concept of Trail Angels was a new one for us as they are just not that common in the UK. We now understand the term Trail Angel to be “A term of endearment for a person who voluntarily assists adventures along the trail in the form of direct kindness and generosity.” These are literally the most amazing people, and we were lucky enough to bump into a fair few of them along the NFCT.
Whilst thru-paddling the NFCT we came across these wonderful people in a few interesting ways, be that them approaching us, us finding their offering of help on the NFCT facebook page, or coincidental meetings.
What we found very different from the UK (where most of the time you just have a small nod, or “good morning” if you pass people on a long distance path) is that people who are not also doing the activity we were would approach us and just ask “Hi, are you thru-paddling?” To which we would reply “Yes we are!”, and then they would either ask if we wanted anything or offer us something we might need. It was so kind and generous. It was also that simple. In general it seems that people in the USA and Canada are a lot more likely to strike up a conversation with you without warning, and our advice would be to embrace this and take the time to talk to the locals, as you never know what you may learn!
Trail Angels can give a thru-paddlers a sense of community, as you can go for days, or even weeks without interacting with another person who isn't in your group. For those who help with trails, if you are ever wanting a way to get more people to go on your trail, then we would advise trying to cultivate a sense of community through Trail Angels, as these interactions were some of the most interesting we have had whilst travelling.
We met Trail Angels at lots of different points along the NFCT, and just in case they’re reading this, we would like to give a big thanks to the following people who make our thru-paddle a much nicer experience:
A Verizon Line Engineer (apologies that we did not get your name) - who provided us with some chunky wire ties and industrial bug repellent. That bug repellent was amazing, and a few of the cable ties got used near the end of the trip to help fix our portage cart (again!).
Frank from Canoe and Co - who we reached out regarding the potential of camping at his site. We were not only allowed to camp at his campsite free of charge, but we were also provided with up to date river conditions for the next few days of the trail.
The delightful Canoe and Co campground. This site is located a nice distance from the border for the first day of travel in Canada.
Roger from Mansonville Boat Hire - who offered us a lift along the grand portage due to a massive thunder and lightning storm which was approaching and would have made the portage dicey. Forever grateful we didn’t end up caught in the storm out in the open.
Sandra - who let us camp in her garden as Perkins landing was no longer allowing camping at the lakeside. It was a beautiful garden, and nicely sheltered from the storm that evening.
This is the front garden where we spent a delightful night watching and listening to the thunder and lightning storm that rolled around us for many hours.
A Couple at Prouty Beach Campground - who gave us tasty home made muffins and regaled us with their travels. We really didn’t expect to find someone who knew where Leicestershire was, and had been there some years prior.
Northern Waters Outfitters in Errol - who let NFCT thru-paddlers stay at the campground for free and use their hot showers. A shower was very much needed at that point.
Bob from Errol General Store - who gave us doughnuts. They were delicious.
Ecopelagicon, A Nature Store - who let us leave our boats locked up at their store while we spent a couple of days in Rangeley. It was great to meet you, and your store was a highlight for thru-paddlers and thru-hikers alike.
Joe and Family - who stopped on a long hot dusty dirt road and gave us bottled water. It was some of the sweetest tasting, ice cold water we think we have ever consumed!
Sales Assistant in Jackman Hardware (apologies we did not get your name) - who gave us some tasty no bake chocolate cake. We’re a little sad we didn’t get the recipe.
Garett, A Maine River Guide - who gave us loads of useful local information as well as fascinating stories and ice cold non-alcoholic beer! You set us up for a great final two weeks of the trail.
Bryer and Friends at the North East Carry Store - who stayed open after hours to make sure we were ok and had a place to stay that evening. The local community had seen us and made sure we were okay after a particularly short, sharp storm that gave heavy rain, hail, and blew down trees!
The North East Carry on the morning after the storm. It is worth noting that the company has changed hands recently and so has its name.
John and Family - who gave us wonderful historical information and useful river guidance on the Allagash wilderness. The side quest to see the trains was worth it as you said.
Ron Pelletier - for stopping in Fort Kent and running over to congratulate us for completing the NFCT. We love the hand carved miniature paddle you gave us to commemorate the achievement.
The People of Fort Kent - who cheered and congratulated us for completing the NFCT. People were leaning out their cars and waving and cheering. It took us well over an hour to walk across town to an Airbnb, due to the number of people who stopped what they were doing and came up to us to congratulate us and ask us how we had found the trail. For a group who didn’t have any friends or family there at the finish, it was unexpected and really made the end of the trail something special.
Norm at Pelletier's Campground - who let us store one of our boats at the campground while the people who purchased it travelled up to collect it. We love your dedication to the area over the years.
Receptionist at Black Bear Campground, Main Street, Salisbury - who let us use their phone for over an hour. U-Haul were not the most helpful for us, but this made figuring out what was going on a lot easier.
Once again a big thanks to these people and all the others we met along the way. Without you all it would have been a very different trip. We hope that all our fellow adventurers out there have the good fortune to meet such people on your travels too.