A "Walk in the Woods"

[BirdShooter]

Hopefully it will bring more members and donations to the ATC. They will need it

[JaketheFake]

Hopefully it will bring more members and donations to the ATC. They will need it

That is a very positive outlook. Regarding questions, I have made my hike "public" in terms of friends and family. Its amazing how many people think this is a journey that begins and ends without so much as me seeing another soul for 6 months or the possibility of starving to death because I did not bring enough food.

Thankfully I run with outdoor hook and bullet people, so I have not had to hear to many questions about bears and snakes and other non-issues.

I do love the blank look of those few who just can't quite grasp why someone would want to do this.... does anyone else get that look?

[The Old Chief]

Well, Jensene, at Rainbow Springs Campground certainly remembers Bill Bryson hiking the AT. She was still pretty angry at his portrayal of her in the book when I talked to her at length in 2001.

[TJ aka Teej]

Well, Jensene, at Rainbow Springs Campground certainly remembers Bill Bryson hiking the AT. She was still pretty angry at his portrayal of her in the book when I talked to her at length in 2001.

If I recall correctly her complaint was based on the fact she was closed at the time of his alleged stay.

[The Old Chief]

Then you recall incorrectly.

[TJ aka Teej]

Then you recall incorrectly.

You're correct, it's been quite a while since Jensine posted about it here.

[Jeff]

You're correct, it's been quite a while since Jensine posted about it here.

Here is the thread where Jensine comments on Brysons stay at Rainbow Springs Campground:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ight=#post2348

[Jeff]

You're correct, it's been quite a while since Jensine posted about it here.

Here is the thread where Jensine comments on Brysons stay at Rainbow Springs Campground:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ight=#post2348

[fiddlehead]

Oh yeah, Jensine.
Well, I had a very similar experiience there.
My friends were waiting for a cab and said: You can stay here, but it's a dry county.
or you can come with us to town (which is not in a dry county and has AYCE and if we double up in the hotel, it's the same price as the bunkroom here.
Enough said.
I went to town.
When i got back on the trail the next day, I found out we were the talk of Rainbow Springs.
She badmouthed us to every hiker that set foot on her place.

We just thought it was funny.
But I know if I was writing a book on humor of the AT.
Rainbow Springs and it's owners would have definitely been near the top of the list.

I must read this book again.
It's been a while.

[Dogtra]

I do love the blank look of those few who just can't quite grasp why someone would want to do this.... does anyone else get that look?

All the time.

[Traveler]

Yeah. Bryson saying/writing things isn't evidence of things.
This is about as close to truth Bryson got:

I suppose, but for that matter you could be an inmate named Phyllis at Niantic State Prison too. Given what I know of him, I don't have that level of doubt.

[Marta]

I suppose, but for that matter you could be an inmate named Phyllis at Niantic State Prison too. Given what I know of him, I don't have that level of doubt.

Okay, that almost made me spit out/choke on my morning tea.

[Cuacoatchoo]

I was under the impression that the move "Wild" didn't really increase thru hiker traffic(?) I was also under the impression that many thru hikers pick a time of convenience or major life events, rather than just because they watched a cool hiking movie.

Regarding Bryson and the Rainbow lodge. Thanks for mentioning this dispute, it was kind of entertaining. If it's reassuring to the rainbow lodge, Bryson appeared to suffer from Princess syndrome to me as a reader. Staying in a nice hotel is kind of a weird concept to how I've romanticized "leather tramping" down the AT in my own head.

After watching "Wild" and reading "Walk in the woods" I'm ready for more books about hikers who are actually good at hiking.

[Mags]

I was under the impression that the move "Wild" didn't really increase thru hiker traffic(?) I was also under the impression that many thru hikers pick a time of convenience or major life events, rather than just because they watched a cool hiking movie.

Regarding Bryson and the Rainbow lodge. Thanks for mentioning this dispute, it was kind of entertaining. If it's reassuring to the rainbow lodge, Bryson appeared to suffer from Princess syndrome to me as a reader. Staying in a nice hotel is kind of a weird concept to how I've romanticized "leather tramping" down the AT in my own head.

After watching "Wild" and reading "Walk in the woods" I'm ready for more books about hikers who are actually good at hiking.

Some ideas here:

http://www.booksforhikers.com/

One of my personal favorite is "On the Beaten Path".

[Cuacoatchoo]

Thanks Mags!

[TJ aka Teej]

Some ideas here:

http://www.booksforhikers.com/

One of my personal favorite is "On the Beaten Path".

+1 for both eArThworm and Rhymin' Worm

[Traveler]

Some ideas here:

http://www.booksforhikers.com/

One of my personal favorite is "On the Beaten Path".

Always looking for a good read, thanks!

[clayzoo]

That is a very positive outlook. Regarding questions, I have made my hike "public" in terms of friends and family. Its amazing how many people think this is a journey that begins and ends without so much as me seeing another soul for 6 months or the possibility of starving to death because I did not bring enough food.

Thankfully I run with outdoor hook and bullet people, so I have not had to hear to many questions about bears and snakes and other non-issues.

I do love the blank look of those few who just can't quite grasp why someone would want to do this.... does anyone else get that look?

Lol this is so true. I'm thru hiking in 2016 and everyone thinks I'm going in the woods alone for months on end. They tell me I need to bring a gun for food and protection. People just dont understand. There is a community out on the AT you really aren't ever alone

[MuddyWaters]

Oh yeah, Jensine.
Well, I had a very similar experiience there.
My friends were waiting for a cab and said: You can stay here, but it's a dry county.
or you can come with us to town (which is not in a dry county and has AYCE and if we double up in the hotel, it's the same price as the bunkroom here.
Enough said.
I went to town.
When i got back on the trail the next day, I found out we were the talk of Rainbow Springs.
She badmouthed us to every hiker that set foot on her place.

We just thought it was funny.
But I know if I was writing a book on humor of the AT.
Rainbow Springs and it's owners would have definitely been near the top of the list.

I must read this book again.
It's been a while.

If i recall right, after sueing him they settled for a fair sum.which is likely why never heard another peep about it.

[sbhikes]

Darn, I am doing my hike in 2016. I have been dreaming of this for 20 years.... And now everybody's first question is going to be, "did you see that movie"! I knew I should've gone in 2015. Lol.

I hiked the PCT, not the AT, and even regarding the PCT people asked me if I had read Bryson's book. Now they all ask me if I've read Wild or saw the movie and if it's why I hiked the PCT. I hiked the PCT in 2008 and 2009. Wild wasn't even out yet. Get used to the dumb questions. You'll be answering them the rest of your life pretty much.