[pct-l] Drakesbad.................Chester

[yogi]

I heard a few negative comments about Chester from
some of the 2006 thru's, but I really like Chester. 
It's got a terrific supermarket, great places to eat,
laundry, shower, motels, all in a compact town which
is only 8 miles from the trail.

You make a good point that Chester is a touristy town.
 In fact, the person who gave me a ride into Chester
in 2002 drove me out to the lake to show me around
before going into town.  He wanted to show off what
his town had to offer!!

And, yes, there is a scene in Squatch's most excellent
2003 PCT Documentary "Walk" (www.walkpct.com), where
Potato Picker recounts our experience when a Chester
motel owner slammed the door in our
face...............but anti-hiker attitudes happen
other places, too.  Chester is certainly not alone in
that boat.  (BTW, the next motel welcomed us with open
arms.)

These instances happen because town people aren't
aware of who/what we are.  I think it's important for
hikers to be good trail ambassadors, be polite, say
please and thank you, and tip well in restaurants. 
One good experience can change a town around --- the
motel owner tells the restaurant owner, who tells the
grocery store clerk, etc.

yogi
www.pcthandbook.com




--- enyapjr at comcast.net wrote:

> That sounds very 'positive'...  Glad the 2006
> misunderstanding has been put to rest!
> 
> 2007 thrus - please make sure there is no repeat
> occurence at Drakesbad (or ANY other 'stop' along
> the trail)!  Future thrus (me included!) will thank
> you!...
> 
> Yogi - what's the latest 'feel' for Chester?  Is it
> still a little 'anti' thru-hiker type of attitude? 
> If it is, I'm
> sorry to hear that as I was raised in far northern
> CA...  If anyone does go to Chester, try to remember
> that it is a lumber and tourist town ('city'
> tourists coming up into the 'woods' and Lassen Park)
> - and
> thrus are NOT 'tourists' and also may automatically
> be put into the 'tree people that destroyed the our
> timber industry' category (i.e., not to be
> 'trusted')...  plus, of course, thrus 'smell' when
> they arrive!   ;-)
> If Chester is still 'cold' - it makes Drakesbad look
> superb for a drop/stop/zero...  I look forward to
> it.
> 
> Thanks for the updates.  Happy trails!!!
> 
> 
> 
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