Jeff Hood at the permanent closure of the zero stay at Hiker Hostel

The next is a guest publication by Jeff Hood. Was reproduced with permission from Zerodystay.com.

TO4 years ago, I bought a 3/4 acres land plot next to Pen Mar Park, MD and the trail of the Apalaches. A few days later, I published a photo of the Earth and a question: «I just bought some lands near the trail of the Apalaches, and I am considering opening a modest hiker hostel/b & b. What were some of the smartest features you have found in the shelters?» The feedback was overwhelming. Not only did it obtain lots of tips and friendly characteristics with hikers, but I also received the most important comments: there are many reflexive people in the trail community. And there were many hikers on the path looking for a place to stay. That was all, I thought, I’m doing this.

After sitting with a modular house designer, we came up with a single -level design, 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, with all the rooms that connect to a large common area with the kitchen, clothing and replenishment. At first, I decided not to offer beds of the bunk (a decision that often led to the dismay between tired, but frugal, hikers). The zero day stay offered all private rooms and all the same. And if I needed a short trip to replenish, we also had it covered there.

For many, however, the best part was the location. Not only was it a short distance from the path, but it was a surprise between Harpers Ferry and Ironmasters Mansion. For that 80 -year -old section of 80 miles, there are not many options for rooms, refueling, transfers, etc. And yet, with all that does it …

Why did you close the shelter?

About a week ago (From the author’s original publication in early June – ed.)I made the decision to close. It was not easy, and it took an eternity to make this decision. Before binding why I closed, …

Why did I open?

Photo courtesy of Jeff Hood

I like hikers. Although I am not through a trip, a good piece of my summers is spent in the west on walks of 1 to 2 days. And I really enjoy chatting with hikers at stop points or trails. So, if some businesses were going to open, to have hikers since customers sounded like a good idea. (And still does).

What did I like?

I liked being the owner. To the extent that a 5 bedroom hiker can be profitable, it was profitable. And he felt great when someone says: ‘Is this your place? I love it. «I liked doing social networks and marketing.

I liked being the only caregiver. I didn’t care to clean, wash clothes or invent the beds. And I didn’t care about purchases and replenishment.

I like to make ferries and I will continue to do them. Interestingly, my shyness around the people I do not know dissipates in transfers. Okay, they pay me more for the ferries (so it feels like a totally different job). But I like to make ferries.

But best of all, it allowed me to avoid having a real work of 9-5 … for a while.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Hood

So what * was *?

Not being able to go anywhere for the best four months of weather every year was an annoyance. But I knew it came in. Nothing changed, but I still used me.

Being difficult to meet with the family for 4 months was also difficult. Only this month, my son JJ really needed some academic support, and quickly. And if I am executing a shelter, it does not happen. However, again, I knew this was going.

It was the accommodation. At this point, the people who knew me before the shelter can expel here. You, me, and everyone knew that this was going to be the difficult part for me. A socially anxious type of his 50 years of cosplay as host of the shelter is an absurd idea. But, I thought I could feel more comfortable by sharing my house if I had my own small separate space (not really). And I also thought, frankly, that I needed additional social interaction in my life (which is still an open question for me and my Dr. Melfi).

Therefore, as far as possible, I made a DIY shelter to my shelter. My spirit was: «Here is everything you need and some easy instructions. Please, get at home, send me a text message if you need something.» And for 80-90% of the guests, that really gave in the nail. But, for that 10-20% who expected a socially committed host, I had problems.

Even when I knew that all the guests were happy and comfortable, I still couldn’t relax. Again, the shelter was also my home (I lived in bedroom #6). It was like having the best work of 30-50 hours/week in the world, but I had to be * in * work 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. I would like to be connected to be energized passing in the common area and telling stories. That was very fun many times. But as an anxious guy, fun or not fun, Energy is always needed. And after cleaning, moving, replenishing, publishing, washing clothes, tie to bed, reserve and worry, just not much.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Hood

So, if it is profitable, hire someone to make the accommodation.

I started to. I found a job in a high school, then I started the process of hiring someone to do daily accommodation and care. I was going to make ferries, reservations, fill the gaps, but live elsewhere. Unfortunately, high school work was quite horrible, and I rescued myself. Without income, I couldn’t afford to hire a host/caregiver, so I decided to give it a last attempt this season. And if I am brutally honest, after paying an adequate amount to a host, the shelter goes from being a 4 -month profitable business to a perhaps 4 -month performance work.

So that’s?

Photo courtesy of Jeff Hood

The whole house is still available on Airbnb (although I know that Zilch means for most hikers). I am playing with the idea of ​​making the Strackpacks organized through the sections of northern Virginia, Maryland and Southern Pa. And I am always looking for a cheap house near the path to have another Airbnb (cheaper).

But as the host of a hiker shelter, yes, that’s all. I gave him 2.3 seasons, almost 800 guests of hikers, hikers liked and earned money. And there are hikers who will now become friends friends.

And I feel like a safer person. It would be impossible not to do it. When I was 16, my father was the ceiling of baseball referees, and he assigned me to the adult league baseball games for the referee. So here is this 16 -year -old 16 -year -old skinny, angry and angry 37 -year -old parents. But I had the option to improve this ability to handle many different types of people, or be miserable. Then I improved a little. And as a group, hikers are as everywhere as they obtain it, united only for their intelligence, kindness and determination.

I decided not to accept new guests for two weeks, then see how I felt. Two weeks have ended. My cats are happier, I’m happier and my JJ boy is happier. The desire to continue doing this is still there, but my desire to leave is a little older at this time.

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Photo courtesy of Jeff Hood