[pct-l] Fw: Drakesbad ranch is now closed to PCT hikers

[krozby]

Hi Georgi,

 Thanks for the great stay and shave. Im glad some people are setting the 
record straight about Nemo, I hiked around her on the AT in 2003 and she is 
a great girl and a lot of fun to be around. I couldnt believe she left 
intentionally without paying. I never stopped there last year, I got there 
around 11 the day after I left your place and decided to skip it.

Pat


> To All and Sundry,
> Thank heavens for those clearer heads who chose to weigh in on the side of 
> caution regarding the possibility of error in reporting an incident where 
> a hiker left Drakesbad without paying for her lunch.
>
> While she did, indeed, leave Drakesbad w/o paying, it was through a 
> misunderstanding that was quickly set right. Billie called me regarding 
> another matter and mentioned the hiker who left with a tab that was picked 
> up by another hiker.  Never did Billie ever mention closing Drakesbad to 
> hikers. After the hiker (Nemo) arrived here and learned of her mistake I 
> personally spoke with Billie and explained Nemo's confusion.  After 
> reading Yogi's book for 2006 (the hiker's comments re Drakesbad),  she 
> really didn't know if hiker meals were free or not. (Two entries from 
> earlier years had indicated a small fee, but the latest ' 05 entry said 
> that his meal had been free). She chose to go with the latest quote, 
> though she now realizes she should have confirmed that., but reports that 
> the waitress said nothing about meal prices so she really thought that she 
> was good to go. She immediately left money to repay the hiker who had 
> picked up her tab.  We all thought the problem had been take
> n care of.  Please understand this....
> ...DRAKESBAD NEVER HAS OR WILL BE CLOSED TO HIKERS AS LONG AS IT'S IN 
> BILLIE & ED'S HANDS.
>
> At least one hiker skipped their place based on the entry on the PCT-L. We 
> can only guess how many others missed a great visit as well. Billie says 
> that while meals are never free, the hiker in ' 05 may have had his meal 
> "comped", as often happens there. The guests really enjoy their 
> interaction with people from the PCT.
>
> I hope this letter will be read and spread up and down the trail  and that 
> this rumor will die as quickly as possible--tho somehow the truth seldom 
> travels as fast or as far as the false information that precedes it.
> Thank you,