OK... I had wanted to write somthing reguarding FRANKLIN last year, but having now been here for my 2nd year in a row, and spending a few weeks in town, helping out fellow hikers, here is what you can TRUTHFULLY expect in this GREAT town!
Although there are MANY places to stay here, and lots of good people who are willing to give rides, there has been just one constant I want to give some props to.. and that would be Ron Haven and "Haven's Budget Inn &
The Sapphire Inn".
~ Ron has been helping hikers before anyone here knew what "trailmagic" was! Yes, he runs 2 hotels, with a FREE SHUTTLE to and from the trail.. (ie) Rock Gap, Wallace Gap, Winding Stair.. heck, he even runs hikers to Wayah Gap... a 40 min drive.
~ Even when hikers stay at other hotels, he still drops them off, and picks them up....
HERES MY BEEF.. ANY OTHER HOTLE IN FRANKLIN IS MORE EXPENSIVE, AND THEY CHARGE YOU TO GET BACK TO THE TRAIL!!!
Like the "LEECHES" at the "Franklin Inn" & the "Microtel" . . . I've had it with these folks! Honestly.. they will send up some nice old ladies to the trail crossing several times a day with some apples & oranges, they will appear to be this Nice old lady(and hey, it's like your grandma, so who is going to turn their grandmaother away!) And they will give you a ride into town to the Microtel or Franklin Inn, and then ask for a $ donation for gas... well, heres the truth the next day.... "Yeah, can I get a ride back back to the AT please?" . . . . AHH, WE DONT' GIVE RIDES, or.. well.. for $10 PER HIKER!
OR.. well.. "you need to call Ron Haven who drives a free shuttle"
SERIOUSLY!!! CMON! This is not how you treat people.. let alone thru-hikers!
~ For the past 7 years, Mr. Haven has been nothing but TRAILMAGIC to all who come to this great town! ANd if you stay anywhere else.. your crazy!
~ These "other establishments".. are ONLY interested in your MONEY! That i promise you! If you don't believe me.. then stay a night...
Heres the 2005 Hikers rates in FRANKLIN....
MICROTEL $49.95 for a single roomm ($10 for 2nd hiker)
FRANKLIN INN $44.99 for a single room ($5 for 2nd hiker)
HAVEN'S BUDGET INN & The SAPPHIRE INN
$35.00 for a single room ($5 for 2nd hiker)
***After 2 years of hiking here, and spending a few weeks to help out, I had to post the truth about Franklin!
My twin (Kick The Rocks "KTR") & Myself have never been treate dso well by the folks here...
THREE EAGLES OUTFITTERS is just great as well... Jackie & Kevin will do whatever thay can for you.. mail home old gear if your buying new stuff.. fuel by the ounce, a great staff, and the best selection I believe on the southern half of the AT!
*** For those of you who have stayed at any hotel in FRANKLIN, please post a reply with how things went for you, and your thoughts.. thanks!
This message was posted by SOLACE . . . . "Reach Farther"