Zeros and town Stays while on AT

 Seems the current AT hiker stays off the trail more often than I did.

During my Georgia to Maryland trip I had town and PO stops at

Wesser, NC, Motel

Hot Springs, NC, Henderson Court Motel (I think this is now Alpine Court Motel, streetview 2008)

Elk Park, NC, Trivett House (1974)

Damascus, VA, Sportsman Motel, 2 nights (no longer there?)

Pearisburg, VA. Father Charles' Church, 3 nights due to stomach flu

Cloverdale, VA, Howard Johnson

Waynesboro, VA, Howard Johnson

For about 900 miles.

I'll talk about the north later.

still looking for postcard pics of the HoJo.

AT Memoirs

 I am reading an AT Memoir called "The Unlikely Thru-Hiker" by Derick (Mr. Fabulous) Lugo. AMC Books 2019.  I am about half way through the book and it is pretty good.  To be honest, it is good but not that "fabulous."

It is better than many titles who basically recite their journal entries day by day.  Those can get pretty boring.  And other start a philosophy about life and how the AT made them appreciate the finer things in life....like water, food, companionship, taking a shit in the woods and so on.

But Derick's books is an easy read.  Like I said I am only half way through.

My point about this diversion in recreation geography is that like life, we face the mountains, droughts and other obstacles every day. Some we overcome, and others, well we must accept those.

Long story short, for an EXCELLENT summary of AT Memoirs visit this great site.  Lugo's book is not listed, as others, but it gives you a sense of the impression the AT has on people and aspiring writers, including yours truly.

I have a small library of titles to yet read, but since this one is on loan, I want to wrap it up first.

Here is an AT picture to hold your interest.  It is a post card showing Henderson Court, in Hot Springs, NC that I stayed in 1974 on this date.  $7 for the bed.

Last thing, here is a short list of memoirs reviewed, that will help you prioritize your amazon purchases.

Mar-a-Lago to become open for Georgia Democrats

 Wishing to diffuse the huge misunderstanding that Georgia voters failed to reinstate Mr. Trump last fall, the late president is offering Mar-a-Lago to ill informed voters for spring time outings.

"I will take a hit on this financially, but those ill advised voters in Georgia can visit my historic home" and play a round of golf and a reduced rate of $10,000 a night per person.  Mr. Trump will waive the normal $100,000 initiation fee if paid in cash.  

As an alternative to the democrats in Georgia, he suggests that "checks made out to my legal defense fund is preferred" since multiple claims of sexual mis-behavior continue to haunt the former reality TV host.

Viva Las Office

 

Viva Las Office?

Sorry, but I don't think of Las Vegas as a place to get work done.  But MGM Resorts is offering some sweet deals for home office workers to hang out on the Strip.  Starting at about $100 a night, you get an assistant and food credit.  And you get to see this at the Bellagio.

Actually a good deal.

Book soon though.

All Trump Hotels to become hospitals for Covid-19

I actually saw this idea on Facebook.  This was my proposed post for April Fools Day.

What a great idea.


Trump is opening all his hotels around the world for the sick and suffering citizens who have been infected by the virus.  Trump Tweets (@thealmostrealRump) "that it is about time folks get to experience 800 thread count sheets and double ply toilet paper.  That is the least I can do."

And better yet, it is a tax deduction for his royal family!

New Trump Tower to Overshadow Grand Canyon

A new Trump Hotel is planned for the Grand Canyon.  Mr. Trump seeks to build a 45 story hotel on the South Rim of the Canyon to expand tourism at the National Park.  He selected 45 since he is the 45th President of the US.  Each room will have a sweeping view of the canyon.  Rack rates start at $999.00 a night and up.

Opponents to the proposal are not so concerned about him promoting tourism on public lands, but are afraid the height of the hotel will block the evening sun so much that the canyon will be in darkness an additional 3-7 hours per day.  For more information visit https://www.trumphotels.com/GrandTrumpCanyon

Abraj Kudai, the largest hotel in the World?

With 10,000 rooms (yes 10k), this hotel is expected to open this year and will have 70 restaurants and five helipads.  Ten of the towers are intended to provide four-star accommodation while the remaining two will offer luxurious five-star amenities. Catering to the needs of tourists, the city receives around 2 million pilgrims for the annual Hajj. And another 20 million the rest of the year.

Seems since these tourists are not permitted to enter the US, tourism in Saudi Arabia will boom!

AIR BnB takes some more heat

I wrote about Air BnB a few weeks back, and it seems city's have a different idea about these un-taxed hotel rooms.  After all something can rent an apartment for a couple grand a month and they offer it as a BnB for a boatload a night!  What if the apartment is under rent control?  There is a concern that short term rentals will hurt affordable housing for the permanent residents.

BnB take beds from Hotels

Seems to be a powerful new partner in the travel and tourism industry.  The BnB, especially the one called https://www.airbnb.com/

This is not with out some concern, since local residents of apartments and houses may not realize their neighbor is actually renting rooms.  This is a particular problem in urban areas with a night life where the temporary tenants return "home" after a late night of partying.  Further there is a concern about lost tax revenue.

But just like the Uber Taxis, the market drives the competition.  But we will likely see some sort of regulation, especially if the big guys (e.g., Intercontinental Hotel Group) feel threatened?