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Franklin or Hiawassee?

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Quote Originally Posted by Jack Tarlin View Post
You should be all means go into both towns, but those planning extended stays (i.e. zero days) would do better to go into Franklin. As others have said, there are a lot more things there: Hiker friendly places to stay (the Budget Inn is the best located as far as distance from most of the places you'll want); tons of restaurants; several large supermarkets and a Wal*Mart; two good outfitters; several pubs and coffeeshops; a bookstore, you name it. Oh, and as many hikers happily discovered this morning (it's St. Patrick's Day if you've forgotten), adult beverages of all varieties are available in Franklin. At present, Ron Haven, owner of the Budget Inn, leaves his motel at 9 and 11 AM sharp and drives out to pick folks up at Winding Stair Gap, and if he has time, sometimes he picks up at Wallace and Rock Gap as well. He drops folks off at the Budget Inn in the center of town, and does not charge for this. At present, he offers this service to everyone, and not just people planning to stay in his motel or hostel. (There's also a county-operated van service that goes around town and back out to the Trail. It costs three dollars and runs until three PM). Oh, Ron also, at 4PM, does what he calls "the town run", where he'll drive hikers out to the edge of town where there's a Wal*Mart, all sorts of places to eat, and an outfitter. The "town run" is also free. Lastly, there's a church in town that is picking hikers up in front of the Budget Inn every day until mid-April and driving them to the church for a free AYCE breakfast. In short, there's a lot of great stuff in Franklin and hikers would be crazy not to come into town..........odds and ends that hikers have told me in recent days: The bookstore downtown has hundreds of used paperbacks in addition to new books, and some of the used ones cost only ten cents. The Motor Co. Grill, a sort of retro-fifties diner, reputedly has great burgers and shakes. The Chinese Buffet by the Wal*Mart is getting high marks. The new brew pub, where everyone is apparently going to be tonight, is very hiker friendly and serves good beer. And Rob, the co-owner of Outdoor '76 is one of the best shoe and boot-fitters on the entire A.T. He'll spend HOURS with you making sure you get the right footwear. Anyway, Hiawassee is a great town, and the Budget Inn there is within easy walking distance of just about everything, but there are definitely more things available for hikers in Franklin.
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