Of all of the places that I stayed in my first thruhike attempt (GA->VA '00), the Blueberry Patch has the fondest memories. First of all, it's a spartan place with a lot of heart: Decent bunks, a small common area, a fridge, fuel, and more stuff. Gary and his wife put on a VERY nice breakfast (small additional charge) of blueberry pancakes. But what made it special for me was that Gary and his wife invited me to join them and their family for Easter Sunday "sunrise" services, and made me feel like a part of their family, not just some cleaned-up trail trash that they were being patronizing to or making a few bucks off of. They don't push, or even really mention, their religion, so don't get me wrong; but they live it in the finest way I can imagine, through kindness and fellowship. And pancakes.

The Weasel

"Well a promise made, is a debt unpaid, and the Trail has its own stern code." -- Robert Service