U.S. hikers want to give 'big thanks' to mystery Good Samaritans from Vancouver
A pair of U.S. hikers want to thank two Good Samaritans from Vancouver who came to their aid during a hike in California.
The hikers were on a trail near Palm Desert when they realized the hike was a bit more than they'd bargained for. Two strangers approached and offered help, and although the hikers thanked them at the time, they then reached out to CTV News to share their appreciation again.
What happened, according to Tennessee resident Raymond Troy Tate, is he and his brother-in-law had decided to take on a trail called Bump and Grind.
Tate said he was pretty conditioned to this type of exercise because he hikes daily in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He said the terrain is different but he felt he was prepared.
His brother-in-law is also fairly active, he said, participating in boot camp workouts and daily walks in Chattanooga, Tenn., but the hike proved more challenging than both of them expected.
"We had made a few rest stops on some of the steeper sections to allow some recovery," Tate said Tuesday.
It was during these stops that the pair met a couple from Vancouver, and had a short conversation.
"We talked about where we were from and what our activities had been on this planned vacation," Tate recalled.
"We exchanged pleasantries and wished each other a good rest of the day and safe hiking."
The couple walked on ahead, but then turned around and came back, cutting their hike short, he said.
"They stopped when we met and asked if we would accept a gift. They proceeded to give us their CamelBak pouch of water and said, 'Please accept this gift.'"
Tate said it was readily accepted, as they'd forgotten their water in their vehicle.
With this gift, they went on to complete the four-mile loop with elevations slightly above 305 metres (1,000 feet).
"We spoke of the generosity of this couple to cut their plans short in order to allow us to continue the hike. We were both very moved by the gesture of two total strangers," Tate said.
"We hear so much about the unkind acts that happen on a daily basis and the good deeds or acts go unnoticed."
So, in an email titled, "Shout out to a Vancouver couple," he contacted CTV News Vancouver, hoping to share this story of good deeds and to thank the couple one more time.
"I just wanted to let the citizens of Vancouver know that they live amongst some very good and kind people – or 'folks,' as we would say down south – and I am certain this is not the first time this couple has shown an act of kindness," Tate said.
He hopes that the story reaches the couple, so they know their actions were appreciated "more than words can say."
And he wants the other residents of Vancouver to know they're lucky to have "citizens that unknowingly represent them (so) well."
Do you know who the couple is? CTV News is looking to speak to those involved in the hike.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.