Rusty Hard Time Hollow?

[gravy4601]

is that the hostil outside of davenport

[hobojoe]

Rusty's hard time hollow is an incredibly important experience on the trail. He is a good friend of mine and I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't take themselves way too seriously.
After all it's just a walk.

[Jack Tarlin]

"Incredibly important experience?"

I dunno, that seems a bit over the top. It's pretty clear that some folks really enjoy the place and some prefer to go on to Waynesboro.

Which is how it shoud be.

But an incredibly important experience?

Geez, not so sure about that.

[weary]

"Incredibly important experience?"

I dunno, that seems a bit over the top. It's pretty clear that some folks really enjoy the place and some prefer to go on to Waynesboro.

Which is how it shoud be.

But an incredibly important experience?

Geez, not so sure about that.

I found it an incredibly important experience. It's the only hostel that remains vivid in my memories. The others were simply places to shower and sleep. Only Rusty's had communal cooking on a wood-fired stove, kerosene lamps, a natural spring for cooling beer and watermelon, and a touch football game between the skins and the pants.

Weary

[Jester2000]

"Incredibly important experience?"

I dunno, that seems a bit over the top. It's pretty clear that some folks really enjoy the place and some prefer to go on to Waynesboro.

Which is how it shoud be.

But an incredibly important experience?

Geez, not so sure about that.

When I was passing through the area in 2000, I was passed by a hiker who insisted that I HAD to go to Rusty's, that I wouldn't have really thru-hiked if I didn't go, that Rusty's was an experience of a lifetime, that I had no idea what I'd be missing.

I still have no idea, because I hiked on to Waynesboro. I still managed to have a pretty good experience, though.

[Rain Man]

is that the hostil outside of davenport

If you mean Davenport Gap, and just north of the GSMNP, then you are thinking of Standing Bear Farm. A great place.
Standing Bear Farm hostel

RainMan

.

[Rain Man]

I still have no idea, because I hiked on to Waynesboro. I still managed to have a pretty good experience, though.

Same here, this June.

RainMan

.

[summermike]

I took a photo of the sign posted on the tree on the road to his place. It says:

"Effective Jan. 2008, an upfront donation of $20.00 each per night is appreciated 'Rusty' Additional Donations Accepted."

When I talked to him about it last summer he said most (his word) hikers skip out without paying for anything now and it's making it nearly impossible for him to keep the hostel open, thus the sign.

[weary]

....he said most (his word) hikers skip out without paying for anything now and it's making it nearly impossible for him to keep the hostel open, thus the sign.

Freeloaders have been a problem for hostels for years. When I stayed at Rusty's in 1993 I sensed that only a third of the folks who were there over a long holiday weekend were contributing any significant amounts.

Though I'm not wealthy and was hiking on a tight budget, I popped a couple of extra 20s into the donation jar because Rusty clearly is not a wealthy person and was providing a genuine service to a lot of hikers.

Anyway, these days its mostly organizations such as churches with a special charitable and sometimes religious mission that can afford a donation only hostel.

Weary

[saimyoji]

I found it an incredibly important experience. It's the only hostel that remains vivid in my memories. The others were simply places to shower and sleep. Only Rusty's had communal cooking on a wood-fired stove, kerosene lamps, a natural spring for cooling beer and watermelon, and a touch football game between the skins and the pants.

Weary

i think this may be the "experience" that some are talking about...


BTW, did you punt or receive?

[summermike]

Freeloaders have been a problem for hostels for years.

He said there's been a tremendous change in the past five years.

[TOW]

I bet Rusty's would be a great experience........