The notes in this section provide additional information about features highlighted by
the symbol in the mileage tables of Section I. Notes are arranged in geographical
order from Georgia to Maine, just like the mileage tables, and are cross referenced to
the mileage tables by page number. If you are reading about a feature in these notes,
you can locate it in the appropriate mileage table by turning to the page number
shown before the feature's name in this section.
More than likely, though, you will be doing just the opposite, i.e., coming to this
section from the mileage tables to find more information about a feature or service
listed there. In that case, you simply take note of which mileage table chapter and
page the feature or service is located on, then turn to the same chapter and page in
these notes. For example, if you want to find more information about a feature
highlighted in the "Georgia" mileage table on page 12, then you should thumb to the
"Georgia" chapter of these notes (chapter names are provided at the top of each
page), look for the notation "Page 12" in bold print preceding the names of features,
and then look for the name of the feature. It's quite simple.
Most of the information in this section is descriptive information about services in
towns--the expanded details about services represented by the coded abbreviations
shown to the right in the mileage tables. The format for describing services will vary
from town to town since each town is somewhat unique. In general, though, basic
town services are listed in this order: hiker hostels or equivalents, campgrounds or
camping places, commercial lodging facilities, places to eat, grocery stores, outfitters,
laundry facilities, stove fuel sources, and then all other services.
Businesses and services that have been serving hikers the longest are usually listed
first in each category, and these businesses and services will usually have the most
descriptive information given since there has been more feedback about them from
hikers over the years. Towns that have proven to be the most "hiker friendly" (i.e.,
suited for the way hikers like to operate and offering a larger array of hiker services)
will have the town name shown in all capital letters. Keep in mind that not every
business or service in a town is listed in this guide, just those that have been deemed
"hiker friendly" and useful to many hikers based on reports from past A.T. hikers.
Also note--Prices for overnight lodging do not include tax, which can be 10% or
more in some locations. It is assumed that most folks are on a budget of sorts, so
places that offer the lowest prices for lodging are favored, although in some locations
the lowest priced lodging might still be considered relatively expensive by thru-hiker
standards. Mailing addresses are given only for those places that will accept and hold
maildrop packages, either free or for a fee. Places that do not allow pets, smoking,
and/or alcohol consumption on premises are so noted, as are places that do not
accept credit cards. Post-office information for the most frequently used towns is
provided in this section with the town's description (also see the quick-reference
"Post Office Information" section in the back of this book which lists information for
the post offices most frequently used by thru-hikers from Georgia to Maine).
Section 2
Thru-hiker Notes
The Thru-hiker's Handbook 2003 91
