Agua Dulce, Hiker Heaven
I'm resting up here in Agua Dulce, California at what is perhaps one of the more unique stops on the Pacific Crest Trail, "Hiker Heaven"
Hiker Heaven is the private residence of Jeff and Donna Saufley. 10 years ago when Jeff was away for an evening, Donna saw some hikers wandering around town (there are no motels or camping available in this trail town), she invited the hikers into her home. Over the next decade the Saufley's have hosted virtually every thru hiker on the trail. This year that means upwards of 300 people!
I had no sooner walked into Agua Dulce yesterday afternoon when a white van pulled along side and offered me a ride into town. It was none other than Jeff Saufley himself. I asked him why he and his wife seemed fit to open their home to hundreds of strangers every year.
"Well, it was nothing we planned on doing, it happened all by accident. When Donna invited those hikers to stay with us, we had no idea that we'd still be doing it 10 years later, or that it would get this big. But, we love it, we love meeting all the hikers, and we never had anything taken from us, it's something we really enjoy doing."
The Saufley's don't just let people camp in their backyard though. They have a mobile home and an RV set up as "guest houses" they also have several large tents with cots for the over-flow. The garage is filled with resupply packages for hikers that the Saufley's pick up for them at the post office. If you need to go into town, they have a spare car you can borrow (just use the sign up sheet). They also do your laundry for you, in fact they insist upon it. They also provide phones and internet access. All for hikers, all for free.
Simply amazing!
Check it out for yourself, here: http://hikerheaven.com
Hiker Heaven is the private residence of Jeff and Donna Saufley. 10 years ago when Jeff was away for an evening, Donna saw some hikers wandering around town (there are no motels or camping available in this trail town), she invited the hikers into her home. Over the next decade the Saufley's have hosted virtually every thru hiker on the trail. This year that means upwards of 300 people!
I had no sooner walked into Agua Dulce yesterday afternoon when a white van pulled along side and offered me a ride into town. It was none other than Jeff Saufley himself. I asked him why he and his wife seemed fit to open their home to hundreds of strangers every year.
"Well, it was nothing we planned on doing, it happened all by accident. When Donna invited those hikers to stay with us, we had no idea that we'd still be doing it 10 years later, or that it would get this big. But, we love it, we love meeting all the hikers, and we never had anything taken from us, it's something we really enjoy doing."
The Saufley's don't just let people camp in their backyard though. They have a mobile home and an RV set up as "guest houses" they also have several large tents with cots for the over-flow. The garage is filled with resupply packages for hikers that the Saufley's pick up for them at the post office. If you need to go into town, they have a spare car you can borrow (just use the sign up sheet). They also do your laundry for you, in fact they insist upon it. They also provide phones and internet access. All for hikers, all for free.
Simply amazing!
Check it out for yourself, here: http://hikerheaven.com
posted by chai guy at 7:09 AM
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