March 29th - Day 25 - Hemlock Hollow Inn to Devil Fork Gap
Dan sorts out a slack pack from here to 20 miles up trail at Laurel Trading Post. Its a nice hike, but I am itching to get back out into the woods for a night. Laurel Trading Post cost 32 dollars for dinner and a bunk, and not even a shower. $32 for little more than I would have gotten in the woods. There are six bunks in a one car garage bay and the heater is broken. The bunks are a two by four frame with chicken wire and a thin foam pad to sleep on. I don't blow up my Big Agnes pad for fear that it may pop. I do eat a burger, so it evens out a little. If I hike the trail again I will stop at neither of these places. 60 dollars more I could have spent supporting other hiker institutions like The Doyle.

I guess my point is there are all sorts of accommodations on the trail. Sometimes you need a shower or want to get out of the weather. Sometimes you don't need to stay inside. There are some places worth staying at regardless of conditions. There are also some places I would avoid at all costs. In my experience there are places, more so early on in the trail, that nickel and dime the shit out of hikers. Maybe Ill start a running list of the stay and not stay places on the AT. I did a lot of research before my hike but only heard of a few dos and don'ts for hostels. Kincora for example, is a great place to stay, run by a great man who truly cares. The Doyle Hotel, its rough appearance and owners can be a lot for some people to handle. but you live in the woods and these people really care about hikers. If I could do anything about it I would have more lodging dollars go toward Pat and Vicki at the Doyle than places like Hemlock Hollow and Laurel Trading Post. Save it for people who care.