Other Trail Angels - Hostel Owners

The Greene Mountain House Hostel in Vermont

I've had the privilege of staying at many of the hostels along the Appalachian Trail (AT) during the course of both my northbound and southbound hikes, as well as now on my section hikes. Hostels provide a unique opportunities for hikers to get off the trail and to a real bed while showering, resupplying, doing laundry, and catching up with loved ones and friends. They are like homes away from home, and for the hostel owners, they are a real labor of love in serving the hiker community.

For this blog, I interviewed two hostel owners who provide fantastic services for hikers along the AT.

The first is Jeff, Owner of the Green Mountain House Hostel in Manchester Center, Vermont. I had the opportunity to stay at his hostel during my southbound hike in 2010, and the accommodations and friendliness are beyond words. Jeff makes you feel right at home.

So tell us, Jeff, why you decided to become a hostel owner.

After an early retirement opportunity, I section hiked the AT over a six year

period. Trail hostels intrigued me because no two are alike. When you decide to stay at an AT hostel you never quite know what you are getting yourself into. After an outstanding hiking experience, my wife and I decided to look throughout New England for a trail town in need of reasonably priced accommodations. Manchester Vermont fit the bill and to top it off, has close access to skiing, something my daughters and their families love to do.

 

Owning a hostel is an opportunity to create the perfect hiker service. However, managing a hostel is a completely different experience from hiking the trail. For example, there are no zeros, no days off during the hiking season. You are on duty 24/7 for months at a time. That is usually not a problem because your guests are almost always folks you like to be around, have similar interests and tell great stories of their grand adventure.

 

What are some unique aspects of your particular hostel? 

Our hostel is unique because our town is along the section of the AT that is also a part of the Long Trail running the length of Vermont. Manchester is usually the first town stop for the northbound Long Trail hiker. They come in the door tired and beat up by the trail. Some talk about finding a ride home. It is so exciting to listen to our AT hiker guests offer ideas and encouragement to these first timers.  Usually the conversations work their magic and very few hikers end up quitting the trail. 

I hear it's made some changes in you too! 

 

My wife loves to tell her friends about my hostel housekeeping duties like cleaning toilets, washing sheets and scrubbing floors. For the first 30 years of our marriage, I rarely took on those responsibilities. Now, I spend free time asking friends about housecleaning tips, cleansers and the best fabric softener. 

What do you offer hikers?  

 

Since we have a strict no alcohol policy, we don't attract the party crowd. Most hikers are looking for clean, comfortable accommodations, a chance to shower, rest and recharge. Our place does not provide meals to guests. What we do offer is the use of a large, well equipped kitchen. Hikers love this feature and take full advantage. Most evenings I see group dinners prepared for all the guests. I am usually invited to eat, but discovered long ago that if I do not hike like a thruhiker, I cannot eat like a thruhiker.

 

On most sunny days I wish I could hike out of town with my guests. Of course, on those rainy days I am happy to wish them well and look forward to their summit photo on Katahdin, Springer or the Canadian border.

 
Next I want to introduce Laurel, the owner of the Teahorse Hostel in the famous town of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Laurel loves hikers and provides some great services for both thru and section hikers, as well

Laurel makes waffles each morning for hikers

as an active shuttle service.

Why did you decide to become a hostel owner? 
I have traveled a fair amount and stayed in a lot of hostels. When I decided to open a business, I wanted to open a hostel because I have enjoyed them so much.

What are some of the pluses and minuses to it?

Plus: I meet people from all walks of life - and from different countries of the world.
Minus: My pet peeve is people doing stuff they wouldn't do in their own home: like a super-glue project with no protection for the table or floor. This is why you can see super glue on the table and on the floor.

What does your hostel provide?

The Teahorse provides for each person a bunk, shower and waffle breakfast for $33 plus tax. We have a common area and full kitchen and a guitar!

Any interesting guest stories to tell? 

Recently a young man with a 90-pound pack arrived at the hostel, having spent the previous week hiking the Maryland AT. On hand were five veteran hikers from Vermont, two southbound thruhikers, and 2 bicyclists, one of whom had thruhiked the AT 2 years before. They did an "intervention" on him: one person advised him that anything he hadn't used in the previous week of hiking he should get rid of. They managed to convince him to take out 15 pounds of gear, including an 18" machete. He continued south a little lighter.


Green Mountain House Hiker Hostel - Manchester Center, Vermont
Teahorse Hostel - Harpers Ferry, WV - owner:  Laurel Drake


For other great hostels - see your guidebook! And check out the new AT Passport System that allows you to get your passport stamped each time you stay at a hostel. Makes a great memory of your trail adventure.  

Related Blogs:
Town Etiquette for Hikers
Northbound vs Southbound: Outfitters and Resupply

Calling On Gear - The Sleep System to Start a Hike

Okay, so what DO you bring for a sleeping bag and sleeping pad when starting a Southbound (SOBO) in late June or July? Or Northbound (NOBO) in early March?

One thing about the AT you need to know. One must be prepared for the unexpected. Unexpected temperature changes. Precipitation, anywhere from snow and sleet in March NOBO to sleet, hail, and t-storms SOBO. I have seen many hikers on forums ask for the “averages.” Well, you can get some idea of basic averages from data. But after enduring record snowfalls in 2010 to drought in New England, to record warmth in the 100 mile wilderness of Maine to snowfall on Easter Sunday in April of 2007, you need to prepare for anything and everything. And so I begin with the all important sleep system.

Southbound

Take note - you will be entering above treeline early. While NOBOS do not have to contend with it until much, much later in their hike, SOBOS encounter it in the first few weeks. Although they are hiking it in summer, one can still face high winds, temperature extremes, and all kinds of weather. So I started my SOBO with a 25 degree bag (for me it was the synthetic Marmot pounder plus left over from my ’07 hike. Sadly I see the model is no longer available online). Of course I then faced one of the hottest summers in the 100 mile wilderness in Maine. Was I upset I went with a 25 degree stet-up? No, because later on, when I did hit the elevations of the Mahoosucs and the White Mountains, I was ready for the changes. And I was comfortable. Later on when I hit the southern Appalachians in October I switched to my Montbell Hugger 15 degree down bag which worked out perfectly.

Northbound

Starting in March at Springer, you are technically still in the winter season. Yes, even if the temps are a mild 60 degrees on Springer (which it was for us in ‘07), nature has a way of catching up. While we enjoyed 70 degrees in the Smokies in mid March, last year the hikers endured 3 foot snow drifts. And while the hikers last year had gorgeous April weather to make some miles, I had snow and the teens in ’07 near Erwin, TN. I went with a 15 degree bag to start and a silk liner. I took synthetic back then but I now use the Montbell 15 degree down hugger (just recently replaced with their spiral model). It offers water repellency with coziness, plenty of give, and decent temperature ratings. And it compresses nicely in a Granite Gear compression sack (I used a Granite Gear Air Bloc solid stuff sack for my sleeping bag on my SOBO, see the picture below). You can go with a cheaper bag, but you pay the price of a model that does not always live up to its temperature ratings and functionality. And a comfortable sleep makes you ready to

hit the trail, at least that’s the way I look at it. So invest, dig into your wallet and plunk down the $$$ for a good sleeping bag.

On Sleeping pads. I also did a major switch last year with my pad. Being a side sleeper, I could never endure the feel of the z rest or other thin foam pads that the younger generation handles so well. For my NOBO ‘07 hike, I went with the Big Agnes insulated air core. It did well with colder temps. But after a few months, it began losing air and needed to be replaced. And I did seem to toss and turn a lot on it. Not certain why. Until last summer for my SOBO when I

switched to the new Thermarest neoair. It may be the way the tubing is constructed (in the neoair it is horizontal rather than vertical tubes compared to the air core), but the horizontal structure made for a more comfortable sleep, especially on my side. It is also much lighter than the BA pad. But I did take care of it after hearing reports of people tearing their pads. I never used it outside on rocks or used it as a seat pad (I saw some do that on the trail). I bought a Gossamer Gear thin pad to put under it for added insulation to protect it from the ground. Yes, I cared for it, and it took care of me for many months, nearly the entire SOBO journey. That’s pretty good for a pad.

You will hear all kinds of suggestions on bags. Just be sure you go with a well known name brand, the temperature rating right for your start, and a bag that will fit your dimensions. And get a pad that will work for you. A good night’s sleep means a good hike with less chance of injury because you won’t make mistakes. And a good hike means good memories.

I Will Gladly Help!

Any AT hikers out there - long distance, sectioners, thru hikers, if you need anything like the mail drop listing I have posted here on my blog or other information on services, gear, etc. I will gladly send it via e-mail. Just let me know by e-mailing me via my profile page. Some have tried to copy the information and are running into difficulty. Sometimes it helps to get info (and yes, encouragement!) from someone who has been there and has gone through it all.

Safe travels and have a great time!

Where We Sent Our Mail Drops in 2007

Paul Bunyan resting in front of the Unionville Post Office after receiving our mail drop.

While many long distance hikers choose to buy along the way, Paul Bunyan and I did a combination of mail drops and buying (like cheese, bread, chips) which fit our needs well. At times my husband, Skipper, delivered our boxes to us. We chose a combination to help supply nutrition and to mail necessities (such as my medicines, etc).

Note on mailing Mail Drops - be sure to send them Priority Mail with delivery confirmation. Do not send surface. We had two boxes in Maine get lost or arrive without any contents after they were sent via surface. Most POs will hold boxes for a long time, so don't worry if you are running behind. If you are way behind or must leave the trail for a time, you can call them to let them know. Also, drops sent Priority can be forwarded ahead if you find you don't need them. Some hostel owners will do this for you too, but best to call them if you need your box forwarded to see if they will mail it for you.

Also, if you are using fuel canisters, they can be sent in the regular mail. BUT they must go surface mail and with a sticker on the box that has a symbol for "no airplanes" - available at your Post Office. Don't let your PO or others tell you they can't be mailed. They can. We did it several times.

This was our schedule in 2007:

Neels Gap - Skipper brought but you can send drop to the outfitter

Unicoi / Hiawasee- Skipper brought but have good grocery store

Dicks Creek- we dropped at Cloud Nine Hostel

Franklin- you can maildrop at the PO or shop. Ron shuttles to both

NOC - Mail drop to outfitter

Fontana Dam - we went to the Hike Inn which shuttles to Robbinsville. We also dropped at the Inn.

Standing Bear Farm - mail drop

Hot Springs - mail drop and a Family Dollar there; outfitter

Erwin - Skipper brought, Supercenter there for resupply but out of the way

US 19E - mail drop to the hostel - Mtn Harbour B&B

Kincora - mail drop, but they shuttle to town for shopping

Damascus, VA - mail drop to PO but you can buy there; two outfitters

Atkins - we paid $5 to drop at the Relax Inn

Bland - Skipper supplied, but services are there

Pearisburg - we dropped at a friend's, but services there

Daleville- great grocery and outfitter, don't plan a drop here

We then went home (we live in the area), slacked, did sections on weekends, etc. But some options for drops in this part of VA include:

Glasgow- requires hitch

Buena Vista - long hitch

Dutch Haus B& B - check on on drops or might be able to drop at Montebello

Waynesboro - full service town, but spread out, excellent outfitter

Shenandoah NP- you can resupply at the waysides (Loft Mtn, Big Meadows, Elkwallow), but can be pricey

Front Royal - full service town, but spread out and requires hitch

Bears Den - check on mailing a drop there

Harpers' Ferry - you can drop at the ATC office; outfitter here

(the rest below are what we used)

Pine Grove Furnace SP, PA - maildrop to Ironmasters

Duncannon - maildrop to PO, they also make a grocery run

Port Clinton - mail drop to PO; Cabelas with fair selection (can get fuel)

Palmerton - great place for supplies or mail drop if needed

DWG- Maildrop at PO; outfitter

Unionville - mail drop to PO

In NY we got supplies from Skipper. Convenience stores in this area are expensive for resupply.

Kent, CT - Mail drop to PO; poor outfitter

Salisbury - Mail drop to PO, have grocery store

Cheshire, MA - mail drop at PO

MA 2 - good supermarkets here

Manchester Center, VT - mail drop to PO or you can buy; two outfitters

US 4 - Mail drop at The Inn at Long Trail.

Hanover, NH - mail drop to PO and buy at Food co-op (a little pricey); outfitter

Glencliff - mail drop to PO including your cold weather gear, limited food at hostel

Franconia Notch - if you stay at Chet's you can buy in Lincoln; outfitter

Crawford Notch - mail drop to campground

Pinkham Notch - mail drop to AMC office; outfitter (small)

Gorham - mail drop to PO or buy (Wal Mart supercenter here with town shuttle); outfitter

Andover, ME - we sent our box to The Cabin but they are closing.

Stratton - maildrop to PO or buy at grocery store

Caratunk - this one is tricky. Might see if the Northern Outdoors resort will take a mail drop since the Ferryman is closed and he had a store.

Monson - mail drop to PO (store limited for the 100 mile wilderness, IMO)

Abol Bridge - store there

Services we liked on the Trail - Vermont to Maine

Paul Bunyan feasting on the special hiker lunch at Mountain Meadows Lodge, Vermont

Vermont

Bennington - we did not stay here but Paul Bunyan was able to hitch into Bennington for supplies. Many hikers do use this town.

Manchester Center - a tourist town with lots of tourist type shops, outlets, etc. We stayed at Suttons Place which worked out fine (no Internet or laundry). But there is no AC in Vermont and it was hot on the top floor. Town has everything you need - good size grocery, laundromat, PO, eateries, two outfitters. Hitching in and out is a must - look for rides at the parking lot coming in.

US 4 - Many hikers go into Rutland where there is a hostel and everything else you need (but the town is spread out). We stayed at the Mendon Mountain Lodge - about a half mile left down Rt 4. Great place, friendly to hikers, does your laundry for you for a good price, has Internet access and rooms for hikers and cheap buffet breakfast. A bus runs up and down Rt 4 to take you back to the trail.

Near Kent Pond, on the trail - Mountain Meadows Lodge has a super hiker lunch - a bit pricey at $8.95 but it was great. Might be good to stay at also.

New Hampshire

Hanover - college town on the trail, has everything you need. Internet access and backpacking room at the Dartmouth College Outing Club. We stayed at Tiggers Treehouse in their motorhome and it was great. They will pick you up at Dartmouth and shuttle you back and forth.

Glencliff - nothing here at all except for the PO to get your cold weather gear for the Whites (which you MUST have!) and a hiker hostel that is unique to say the least (they have outdoor showers, laundry, Internet access, and some food for purchase). They make a run to "town" (you pay for the shuttle) which has a very slow restaurant and a convenience store for supplies (enough to get you to Lincoln), but you barely have enough time to eat and get supplies before the shuttle guy arrives.

Rt 3, Franconia Notch - we called for a shuttle at the Flume visitor center to take us to Lincoln and Chet's place - a great guy that opened up his home to hikers. From there you can walk to major services in Lincoln like groceries, food, and an outfitter.

White Mountains - The Hut system- if you can get there by 3 PM, you can get in on the hiker work-for-stay option which means you work for a place to sleep on the dining room floor and eat whatever leftovers are available (usually little). Some huts are better than others - but it really depends on the croo in residence at that given time. Some required one job to fulfill your quota, others work you to the bone. Some will make food if there isn't a lot left, some you are scraping food off the floor practically. The hut we like best for work for stay was Galehead. The worst was Carter Notch. But it all depends on the croo and the croo hutmaster (some seem to really dislike thru hikers and work-for stay). All huts have soup, leftovers (pancakes were free, cake, bread, etc) for sale at lunchtime.

US 302, Crawford Notch - we got a ride with a day hiker at the parking lot to the Crawford Notch campground. Had a hiker bunkhouse all to ourselves. Laundry and showers. Store to get some supplies. Shuttle back to the trail. Owners a bit standoffish, they insist hikers stay in their bunkhouse and not in their cabins which kind of irked me.

Mt Washington - friendly staff here for breakfast when we arrived. Don't leave your gear unattended in the backpack room. Don't use the PO for drops.

Pinkham Notch - AMC center here accepts mail drops. Outfitter area a bit lacking. Food and lodging expensive. We actually hitched to Gorham from here so I could recover from a stomach flu.

Wildcat Mtn Chair Lift - one of these nice surprises. The guy there let hikers go down the lift for free, get food from the concession stand, and ride back up.

US 2, Gorham - this is my favorite town. I like Gorham very much. It has everything, though spread out. We stayed at the Northern Peaks motel managed by these two ladies that like hikers (or at least us!). Very helpful. Gorham has a PO, laundry, library for Internet, a small outfitter, a free shuttle that goes to the Wal Mart supercenter. And plenty of places to eat. Friendly townsfolk. A must for a zero day.

Maine

(NOTE Recommend any maildrops go priority with delivery comfirmation. We got two boxes lost in Maine)

Andover - we stayed at The Cabin- but sadly Honey and Bear are closing in 2008 to hit the roads and trails themselves. This was a great hostel. We have heard good things though about Pine Ellis hostel.

Stratton - we stayed at the Stratton Motel. We got a room but hikers can stay at the hiker hostel area. Sue is great and very helpful. She will pick you up and take you back to the trail. Laundry and Internet available. Good diner across the way, along with a grocery store and PO.

Caratunk - We stayed at Northern Outdoors resort since Steve the Ferryman is closing up shop. Not sure where you can get supplies with his store closed. Check with the NO staff. Laundry, Internet.

Monson - we stayed at Shaws in the main house and it was great. Small grocery store with owner anxious to have supplies for hikers. PO.

White House Landing - we did not stay here but many do. Pricey.

Abol Bride - boy does Katahdin look great! So load up at the store here with goodies to celebrate the last few days as there is no food available in Baxter State Park. Pay phone is a pain to use but it works so you can secure your ride. No cell phone coverage.

Services we liked on the Trail - Virginia to Massachusetts

"Church Hostel" - Delaware Water Gap, PA

Virginia - Part B

Since we were close to home and also did this section with my husband at other times, we did not use the services. But we have heard of some excellent services along the way to Harper's Ferry that you might consider.

Blue Ridge Parkway - many hikers rave about the Dutch Haus B&B that offered a free lunch to hikers last year and reasonable rates.

Waynesboro - Most services available to hikers including a large supermarket for resupply. Rockfish Gap Outfitters is, I believe, the best outfitter on the trail. Superior service, will help with warranty issues and has all the gear selection you need without the yuppy stuff. And a great AYCE Chinese Buiffet place. Church hostel is available here in season.

Shenandoah National Park - the waysides are overpriced but if you are starving or you need resupply, you can get it at various locations.

Northern VA - one of the best hostels that past hikers have loved is Bears Den hostel. They have a hiker special that combines the hostel rate with food. I have seen the place and it looks like it has everything (shower, Internet, phone, among other thigns) but I have never stayed there.

West Virginia

Harpers Ferry - home of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Be sure to stop in and get your picture taken. They can help with your questions, etc. There is an outfitter here but when I was there a few years back, it looked kind of small. Did sell some backpacking food like noodles, tuna packets, etc. Check here for accomodations.

Pennsylvania

US Rt 30 - turn left and walk down the road for some great pizza at Taormina's. Hiker friendly.

Caledonia State Park - nice restrooms and water. Pool only open on weekends in late May.

The shelters in early PA are great. Courtesy of the PATC

Pine Grove Furnace State Park - store offers ice cream for the famous ice cream challenge, but if you aren't used to lots of fat, don't do it for your stomach's sake. We stayed at the Ironmasters Hostel. Okay place, but with no AC in the summer it was HOT and the women stay on the top floor. Not fun. But the caretaker was very nice. Accepts maildrops. Has showers and laundry.

Boiling Springs - we skipped this town but did stop at at the ATC office to use the restroom and get water.

US 11 - head left for motels and restaurants by the Interstate. The Super 8 where we stayed was not very helpful and pricey. But the diner across the street had good food.

Duncannon - small little town. Port Clinton Hotel, okay for the rate, no AC, has laundry and shared shower. We got Internet access at an Internet place down the street. PO. Small places to eat. Evening shuttle from the hotel to a grocery store. No phone in town except near the bar.

Port Clinton - be forewarned, the lady working the day shift at the PO was not hiker friendly and quite mean. We hitched a ride and stayed at the Microtel across from Cabelas. Nice place if you can split the room with other hikers. Has laundry, no Internet. Cabelas had what we needed for gear. Fast food places nearby.

Eckville Shelter - the bunks are infested with chiggers or mites or something. I was bitten all night. The caretaker is not very nice. No food. Has showers.

501 Shelter - cold shower, enclosed bunkhouse, active mice. You can order pizza here. Noisy roof when it rains.

Lehigh Gap - we stayed in Palmerton at the Jailhouse hostel. Free and had showers. Everything is centrally located with laundry, library for Internet across the street and IGA. People were very friendly. Just a bear of a town to get out of, try to get a ride from someone in town back to the trail as the road is four lane and very busy.

Delaware Water Gap - church hostel near the trail, donations, nice place. No laundry or Internet. PO down the street. Recommend mail drop here. No grocery store except for convenience stores near the Interstate. Good diner.

Mohican Trail Center - good stop. Great pizza to order (best I had on the trail, IMO). We had the hiker bunkhouse to ourselves and it was BIG.

Unionville, NY - we did not stay here but did use it for a mail drop which worked out well. The mayor is hiker friendly and we hear he now allows hikers to stayovernight at his house. Might check that out.

NJ 94, Vernon - Nice hiker hostel here at a church with laundry, Internet and showers. Fast food places. Get a ride from someone to Vernon at the Heaven Hill farmer's market to the left of the trail. No hitchhiking permitted in NJ.

New York

Bear Mtn State Park - has restrooms, water. Don't know about PO. Inn was closed. The people there in the picnic area did not know what to make of hikers. Wildlife exhibits interesting.

Graymoor - basically a shelter (picnic shelter) where we tented, but you can order pizza and they deliver. Has a cold shower. We had rowdies roll in with pick-up trucks at 2 AM, so be warned and keep your guard up.

Enjoy the delis in NY but their prices for hiker food is very high. Great hot dog stand at NY 22, on the left at a pullover on the road, just after you pass the AT train station.

Connecticut

Kent - we did not stay here, but stayed with friends. Did use PO for a mail drop. The outfitter was basically a yuppy one and fairly useless (no fuel canisters or Aquamira).

Falls Village - we did not stay here, but it sure was a friendly little town. Many people said hello to us. We got water from an outside spigot at the high school during a bad thunderstorm.

Salisbury - again, we did not stay here but it has good eateries, a good grocery store, and the PO. The people were rather classy and not sure what to do with hikers, but we had a few talk to us as we were drying out gear. No pay phones and cell coverage spotty at best.

Massachusetts

South Egremont - I only menton it because we stayed at the Inn here. They were very friendly to us and shuttled us back and forth to the trail. Do not try to stay on weekends - pricey and usually booked. Good convenience store with good sandwiches down the road, but that's about all to this town.

Great Barrington - we did not stay here but ended up here waiting for my f-i-l to pick us up during an intense heat wave. Has everything you need but is spread out.

Dalton - again, we did not stay here but Tom's place looks great (nice guy) and it looks like a good hiker town for a stay.

Cheshire - we stayed at the church hostel, free to hikers. A new outfitter there wants to cater to hikers. PO across the street.

MA 2 - turn left for a great supermarket to welcome you to Vermont. We did not stay in this area though. Too pricey.

Services we liked on the Trail - Georgia to Virginia

The "Hiker Hostel" Dahlonega, Georgia

I was reading on White Blaze of a request for a listing of places where hikers enjoyed staying along the Appalachian Trail. I decided to go ahead and post the places where we stayed, along with comments on services, etc. This post will cover Georgia to Virginia.

Georgia

Dahlonega - The Hiker Hostel - bunks, great breakfast included, laundry for a small fee, computer, nice area for hikers to hang out. Josh will pick you up at Woody Gap if you call.

Neel's Gap - We stayed at Goose Creek Cabins. The owner was very friendly and provides shuttles to and from the AT. Nearby restaurant was closed in 2007 but supposedly he will make a run in the evening (if it is open in 2008). Or you can order a pizza. Highly recommended. No computer available. Excellent outfitter in Neel's Gap, a must.

Hiawasee - We stayed at the Hiawasee Inn. The owners there, upon hearing we were a family, immediately gave us their big "apartment" type room complete with a kitchen for the same hiker rate. Friendly staff. Laundry available. No computer that we could see but check with the owner. Shuttle to the trail for a small fee. Great AYCE buffet in town. Groceries.

Dick's Creek Gap - Cloud Nine Hostel. We walked there - a long walk but they are said to pick up at the trailhead and they did take us back in the AM. We were too late for the restaurant run that night, but we had great smoked trout that night. Cool activities like ping pong. Laundry, computer. Laura is very friendly. The hostel is for sale though in 2008.

North Carolina

Winding Stair Gap - Franklin - Ron Haven is a true friend of hikers. He will pick you up at the parking lot and take you to one of his two motels (we stayed at the second motel and liked it very much. Seemed nicer and more modern. It was close to the laundry). In the evening Ron will shuttle you around to the grocery store, post office, etc.

Natahala Outdoor Center - we did not stay there but other hikers have and they do have services. I found the outfitters there a bit rude but they do take maildrops which is nice.

Fontana Dam- to prepare for the Smokies, we opted to stay at the more expensive Hike Inn which has motel-like rooms. They will pick you up at Fontana Visitor center (use the pay phone) and take you back in the AM. They allow you to briefly use the computer in their home, but be warned, they do smoke. They also do your laundry and take you to Robbinsville for food and supplies. I found the owner a bit gruff but had good wisdom for hiking in the Smokies.

Gatlinburg - We opted not to go into Gatlinburg

Green Corner Road (when you come out of the Smokies) Standing Bear Farm Hiker Hostel -Curtis is very friendly. A rustic place with bunks but you can get a shower, use the internet, and do your laundry, so it's great. The food prices are a little expensive but when you're hungry, you pay it, and you can get some minor resupply there to get you to Hot Springs.

Hot Springs - Cute little town. As Elmers was full, we stayed one night at the Alpine Court Motel, cash only and pricey. Stayed at Elmers for night number two and they let us stay in one of their grand bedrooms, so it was great. They didn't serve dinner that night though, sadly. We did like the food at Smoky Mtn Diner. And there is a Dollar General for cheap resupply.

Tennessee

Erwin - since my hubby came up, we opted for the Holiday Inn Express and it was very nice (much friendlier than the Super 8 from what I have heard). If you have several hikers to go in with you, this is a good option for nice relaxation. Great hotel, laundry, Internet, free breakfast. Lots of hikers when we were there. Uncle Johnny also does shuttles if you want to do slackpacking in the area. He also operates a hostel right by the trail.

Rt 19 E - Mountain Harbour B&B - this place was okay. Easy to walk to. Owner a bit gruff but it may be his personality. They charge for laundry and shuttles to restaurant, PO, and groceries. Accept maildrop. Hostel is over a horse barn and the horses do make noise at night. Comfortable though with bunks and a kitchen and video collection.

Dennis Cove Rd - Kincora Hostel - Bob and Pat Peoples are great, what can you say? They know how to run a hostel. Has everything you need, and they run a free shuttle to town. Bob also ran us a free shuttle to slack over Pond Mtn in bad weather. He knows everything about the trail in the area. Great place.

(Note: Pat Peoples passed away in 2008. Not certain what is happening with the hostel)

Virginia - Part 1

Damascus - friendliest town on the AT , or so it says. When we were there, it was very quiet as it was soon after the VA Tech tragedy. But a great town. We stayed at Dave's Place (operated out of Mt Rogers Outfitters) as they provide rooms with a key so you can lock up your backpack. I did not eat there as I went with my hubby on an outing, but there are places to eat, to buy supplies, etc. Full service town.

US 11 - Near the Interstate. We stayed at the Relax Inn across from the trail. Okay, it was kind of a dump and the AC didn't work well but it had what we needed like a shower (though the tub leaked) and laundry. Not the greatest place, but sometimes you can't be fussy. They charge $5 for maildrops. No computer. No PO. Convenience store nearby where you might be able to resupply.

(Note - there is a new hostel in this raea that just opened up. Worth checking in to)

Bland - We stayed with my hubby at a motel in Christiansburg, so no info on this area. But there are services.

Pearisburg - We stayed with friends here, but it looked like a full service town and has a hostel.

Catawba - The Homeplace restaurant is great- a littel pricey but great food for hungry hikers.

US 220 - We stayed at the Comfort Inn under I 81 (other hikers did too) but other choices available. Country Cookin AYCE is practically next door. Hotel had Internet, breakfast, laundry. Nice place. Had a hiker rate but they may be doing away with it in 2008. There is an outfitter and huge grocery store here (by the trail).

Updates

It's been a while since I've posted, but I still think constantly about the AT in 2007! I've been doing a few day hikes and just this past weekend, discovered some major difficulty with one knee. So I am endeavoring to strengthen it with a few resources I have (some Sports Medicine books), getting into a routine of exercises, etc. I am also walking as much as is feasible on the days I can't hit the trail. If I need to resort to a neoprene brace, I will, but for now, I hope the exercises will help. That and taking some weight off the old thighs wouldn't hurt!

I was able to visit one of the major stops along the AT - the famous Harper's Ferry a few weeks back and enjoyed being one of only ten people in the entire town! Unfortunately the outfitter there was closed, but I did hike up to the ATC center along with my son and checked out some of the materials they have. I also picked up last year's copy of the AT Data Book for some section hikes we plan to do this spring. It is our hope to cover the section of the trail between Front Royal and Harper's Ferry. Then we will have completed the trail between McCormick Gap in SNP to Harper's Ferry and can then skip that section on the thru-hike next year. We want to make sure we have enough time to get to Katahdin before October. And I need the time for a short vacation off the trail next year - specifically to Hawaii - which is a condition I agreed to! :)

Just to add - the ATC or Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a great place to find materials and support if one is interested in hiking the trail. They also have a web site with a wealth of information available, as well as deals on last year's printed material (and yes, another book I can memorize!).