Originally Posted by Lone Wolf
are you not feeling well, sly?
i guess i'm different than the vast majority. if i'm gonna take a day off while LD backpacking, i want a private room, no sharing, or a secluded tent site within walking distance to grocery, beer, restaurants, etc. the last thing i wanna do on my day off is be around other hikers constantly and have to rely on shuttles and such
exactly. but we're not really "socializers" and a good chunk of hikers are. for some reason they need the companionship.
I love Miss Janet. But for similar reasons, her house wasn't for me. Yet it was championed by many hikers as the best on the trail. That's cool. Variety is the spice of life.
I stayed at Laurel Creek Lodge in 2000 and loved it. I knew folks who stayed with Bob, and loved his place. They are very different places. The beauty is, there are enough hikers for more than one hostel. At least for maybe 6-8 weeks a year. Braemer Castle seems to be the loser in the deal - because they are in town. I'd stay there in a heartbeat.
'All my lies are always wishes" ~Jeff Tweedy~
I'm OK. We're speaking of hostels here. That's generally a spartan, group environment and generally do not allow alcohol.
That said, for the most part, my hostel days are over, and I prefer a motel where I can watch golf and do as I please.
(i might share a motel with another but i won't overload it,just to save a few bucks)i'd take a motel over a hostel 99% of the time. don't like crowded places. just like i love damascus 51 weeks of the year!
Go during the thru hiker season.
Just having fun thinking of another discussion. It just seems some people have nothing but bad experiences. Maybe I'm a glass is half full guy, but whenever I find a service on the trail I'm glad. Normally, I'm cold, wet, tired, hungry and anything looks good to me. Sure, I could point out short comings at Laurel, but I'm not expecting the Hilton. I got a roof and pizza. That is a day in paradise to me.
There are so many miles and so many mountains between here and there that it is hardly worth thinking about
Well said! Everything is relative.Just having fun thinking of another discussion. It just seems some people have nothing but bad experiences. Maybe I'm a glass is half full guy, but whenever I find a service on the trail I'm glad. Normally, I'm cold, wet, tired, hungry and anything looks good to me. Sure, I could point out short comings at Laurel, but I'm not expecting the Hilton. I got a roof and pizza. That is a day in paradise to me.
'All my lies are always wishes" ~Jeff Tweedy~
stayed at laurel in 99' was treated great, had a good time! ever since then i stayed at kincora. because of bob and pat. Its probably the only place i ever walked into a crowded place and still stayed. so i could visit with bob and pat. even if i don't stay i will always stop long enough to say hi to bob. he's the real deal. the rest of us are just walking.
We stopped by Kincora, took in the history, took a shower, cleaned the showers afterward and left a donation. Then went up to Laurel Fork Hostel and decided to stay. It was a nice clean place with light occupancy and basic supplies. The deck over the creek is wonderful and a ride to town provided a good place to eat. It was a good stay for us.
That man is the richest whose pleasures are the cheapest. Henry David Thoreau
I remember in 2001 when there were some 'repeat offenders' that stayed at Laural Forks and hadn't stopped by to say Hi to Bob. He was pretty hurt by that. He didn't say it, but you could tell. So, if you stay somewhere else, don't forget to stop by and chat with Bob, especially this season. I imagine he's feeling the lonely winter.
Gravity
Braemer was serving hikers before Kincora or Laurel Creek and I would bet a cold soda it will still be around for the hikers after the others have closed.
Damn, Jeff, that's a pretty curt dismissal of Kincora, which is universally acknowledged as the finest hiker facility on the entire Trail.
Enjoy your cold soda.
Beat me to it. Not sure what he meant. Regardless, of how long Bob keeps it, I venture the Kincora is there to stay.Damn, Jeff, that's a pretty curt dismissal of Kincora, which is universally acknowledged as the finest hiker facility on the entire Trail.
Enjoy your cold soda.
Sorry if I came across in a negative way. I agree Bob runs one of the best hostels on the AT!!!! Laurel Creek....can really be hit or miss.
I only meant that Braemers is owned by a native Hamptonite. (If that's a real word), who most likely will be there for a long, long time.
it's been there 25 plus years. too bad 95% of hikers don't go there. much better than kincora or laurel creek. my opinion
Funny how when some people say things it curt and when others say things it's "speaking the truth" . Just my one cent worth. Have not been to any of them.
No one should have to apologize for their opinion. There is no "universally acknowledged" anything on the AT. And if Whiteblaze teaches you nothing else, it should at least teach you that much.
'All my lies are always wishes" ~Jeff Tweedy~
OK, Mowgli, you're the teacher.
So tell us, then.....in your opinion, what hiker facilities are more highly regarded in the long distance A.T. community than Kincora?
Take as long as you need.
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