[pct-l] part of Paradise Cafe Thread

[Donna Saufley]

Beautifully said.  I think sometimes hikers forget just how counter-culture
long distance hiking is. When we are surrounded by hikers, immersed in the
trail there is understanding amongst all of us.  No matter where you reside
on the social/economic scale in life, amongst those on the trail there is
great commonality, trust, and an esprit de corps not often witnessed. 

People on the outside of our community often do not have a clue about
anything related to the trail. Sometimes our own friends and family don't
understand why we choose to walk long distances, or venture into the
wilderness.  Perceptions and immediate reactions are often of FEAR. Fear of
the unknowns, hazards, and strangers. They drum up a thousand terrors, you
name it.  You've heard it. You may have your own set of fears related to
hiking; we all do on some level.

The new owners of the Paradise Café are brand new to all of this. Obviously,
they have come to the table with their own set of fears about drug
trafficking. In truth, I feared that the first hikers we hosted could be axe
murderers. But positive experience conquers fear. If the new owners have
overwhelmingly positive interactions with hikers, which I can only believe
and hope they will, their fears will dissipate. 

Attitude IS everything. 

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Ate Tuna
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 9:34 PM
To: AsABat
Cc: pct-L backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] shut down aPCT water source? Drug Mules,C'mon Man.

It might not take much bad behavior to get the water at Paradise Cafe
shutoff.  When I talked to the new owner last spring about providing water
like the last owner did, he was uncertain about it because someone had
recently left the faucet open and completely drained their tank, especially
since he had recently upgraded the tank.

If we are to be ambassadors for the PCT, I would suggest treating the new
owner of the cafe with kid gloves and hope he continues to warm to us. We're
already very fortunate to get free water, less expensive prices for the food
than in previous years, and a new offer to hold our mail for free even
though there are restrictions that comes with that price.  The last thing
I'd talk to the owner about right now is changing his mail policy.  I'd
rather ask him if he's hiked the PCT yet (probably not), and then ask him if
he was as interested as he was last year and invite him for a hike.

On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 9:20 PM, AsABat <asabat at 4jeffrey.net> wrote:

> And if there's any question if water sources get shut down, just compare
> faucets in the guidebook to what's really out there:
>
> Boulder Oaks Campground water has been shut off several times in the past
> couple years because of water quality.
>
> Water pipes are capped off at many locations, some for water quality,
> others
> who knows. Some of these have other (natural) sources, others do not. Just
> a
> few:
>
> Mission Springs Trail Camp
> Three Points Trailhead
> Sulphur Springs Campground
> Messenger Flats Campground
> Upper Shake Campground
>
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 7:06 AM, AsABat <asabat at 4jeffrey.net> wrote:
>
> > Seriously, we want to shut down a water source on the PCT for this???
> Don't
> > mail there, don't eat there if you want, but water is previous our
there.
> > Some on this list fought to get that faucet turned on when the cafe was
> > closed because hikers needed water.
> >
> > AsABat
> > PCT Water Reports SoCal http://pct.4jeffrey.net
> > Send water updates to water at 4jeffrey.net
> >
> > > Yes,ill backpack 2700 miles and make sure your
> > >well within your local health code at all times,isnt that a pisser.
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