survey: EAT or CLEAN?

[ruckman1968]

when i thru hiked in 03, whenever i went to town, i wanted to eat first, clean/shower later. i asked other hikers what they did first, and it seemed to be gender specific...men wanted to eat first, women wanted to shower/clean first.
whats your experience?

[mdionne]

beer first, then eat, then shower.

[Footslogger]

Personally ...I liked to get into the hostel/motel and settled before heading down to the local watering hole for a beer and a burger. Somehow food tastes better to me when I'm a bit rested and clean. Not saying I always followed that approach, but that would be my preference. Besides, I liked dumping off my pack and only carrying what I absolutely needed into town.

[Doctari]

Never actually paid attention, but I think its: shower, then take the pack off then eat, then sleep, then eat, then shower.

So, I think its Shower first for me who is male.

Doctari.

[Youngblood]

When possible, I showered first. If not, I tried to sit well away from the other patrons. I think the other folks trying to eat appreciate that approach as well.

Youngblood

[chris]

I tended to space things out on the PCT. I'd get to town and have a light snack first. Something like a box of Oatmeal Cream pies and a quart of chocolate milk (or a jar of pickles in SoCal). Then, if staying in town, I'd go and get clean. Then, go for an actual meal, like a bacon double cheeseburger, sack of fries, and a liter of soda, followed up with a pint of ice cream. Then I'd tend to do laundry and get my stuff set out to dry, if wet. Then, I'd have a third meal, which usually consisted of a six pack of beer and a box of Swiss Cake Rolls.

[icemanat95]

I'd generally head to the hostel or motel right away, get clean and then deal with food and chores.

[2scoops]

i havent done much of the AT, but usually when on trail for a few days, i generally prefer food first, unless im rainsoaked, then alot of times i prefer the shower first.

[Dee]

Move out of the way, give me food and know one will get hurt. Then it's shower time.

[Lone Wolf]

when i thru hiked in 03, whenever i went to town, i wanted to eat first, clean/shower later. i asked other hikers what they did first, and it seemed to be gender specific...men wanted to eat first, women wanted to shower/clean first.
whats your experience?

get a motel room, go buy a six-pack, drink beer while showering, then go eat

[Jaybird62]

get a motel room, go buy a six-pack, drink beer while showering, then go eat

That sounds like the way to go to me.

[doggiebag]

As soon as I got close to a town ... I had a tendency of not having a sit down type of meal until I got showered. The most painless way to do this was to stop over at the first gas station or convenience store and wolf down something hot like a burrito or one of those cheese burgers they kept under hot lamps. The dog immediately got 2 cans of wet food. I'd also take care of sugar cravings by dispatching a pint of ice-cream. That usually takes care of the immediate sense of depravation to allow me enough time to find a place to stay and take a shower/shave. Then it's off with the hiking clothes and into my rain gear which always looks better in town to do my errands.

[Footslogger]

Depended on the rooming sitiation for me in 2003. Most times a group of us would share a room and flip a coin in terms of who got the bed/sofa or firsties in the shower.

That said ...if I had my druthers I would generally clean up first and then go have a relaxing dinner.

'Slogger

[Two Speed]

Of course there's no rule against having a beer IN the shower.

Just gotta watch for getting dirty, nasty rinse water off'n the hiker in yer nice, clean beer.

[Boudin]

Beer, Beer, Shower, Food, Beer.

Unless they had a liquor store. Then substitute bourbon for beer.

[Bob S]

I have read here that not all town people like trail hikers. Would you want a long haired, dirty stinky person sitting down in your restaurant next to people? NO would be my guess, why should they?

Make a better impression for hikers and town people may be more friendly.

Shower first and show some respect for others.

[wrongway_08]

I get cleaned up, get the room "set up" , then go eat. feels a lot better to me to be clean and settled before eating, this way when the night is over with, I just have to settle into bed and crash out for the night.

[dessertrat]

when i thru hiked in 03, whenever i went to town, i wanted to eat first, clean/shower later. i asked other hikers what they did first, and it seemed to be gender specific...men wanted to eat first, women wanted to shower/clean first.
whats your experience?

Depends where you are eating. Stopping at a take out joint or pop stand first might be fine. I would not go into a restaurant smelling like the trail. I feel it is disrespectful to the proprietor of an establishment with real silverware.

[ScottP]

I shower first when possible.

[gungho]

Beer,room,beer,shower,beer,go to eat,and relax while drinking more beer