Date: 2013-04-25
From: Newport TN 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

25 AprilDeparted: 1055 hours, rNewport, TN "Days Inn"Packed up all my gear after eating the "All Star Breakfast" at the Waffle House. Restoring my body energy stores is something I needed to do. I think I have lost about 8 pounds. According to some of the other hikers a Nutritionist stated that a hike needs about 5000 calories / day. There is just no way I can carry that much food! I will say that now that I am on what at I hope to be less strenuous geography and I have more access to more towns my weight loss will be less dramatic. I can say that those Love Handles are completely gone! Right now I have enough food to get me to Boiling Springs1100 hours, attempted to check into Red Roof Inn. Different receptionist stated that ". . . check-in was not until 2 PM." I stated that I understood that, however, I wanted to sit in the facility until check-in! She again reiterated that ". . . check-in was not until 2 PM" and that if I needed to sit somewhere that I should ". . . go to the Waffle House next store and wait until 2 PM!" I then stated that i will give her my credit card to secure the room, I just wanted to sit inside until check-in! Additionally, I stated that IF I would have made a reservation on line or by phone would i STILL be having this problem? Now, I have attitude! No response. I then stated that this is "ridiculous that I cannot even sit in the facility until 2 PM. She then asks me ,"IF I have a car and where am I from . . . !". Recognizing that I have not shaved and I am carrying a "clean" backpack, I have some feelings baked into my DNA about being denied access to using a facility! Fortunately, it is a sunny day and I now have elected to sit out in the sun, in front of Red Roof Inn, until check in. This is NOT OVER!Right now I have enough food to get me to Boiling Springs and enough attitude to get me to Maine. Arrived: 1100 hours"To Be Continued"Email to Red Roof Inn -"To Whom It May ConcernI am currently a Thru Hiker on the Appalachian Trail (30 March 2013). A few days ago developed tendonitis (Achilles) while on the AT and some day hikers offered me a ride to Newport, TN form Davenport, TNto attempt to recover. Initially I stayed at Days inn and quickly realized that I needed access to better accommodations that included a jacuzzi to assisted in my rehabilitation. This morning I had the following UNFORTUNATE Red Roof Inn experience:1100 hours, attempted to check into Red Roof Inn. Different receptionist stated that ". . . check-in was not until 2 PM." I stated that I understood that, however, I wanted to sit in the facility until check-in! She again reiterated that ". . . check-in was not until 2 PM" and that if I needed to sit somewhere that I should ". . . go to the Waffle House next store and wait until 2 PM!" I then stated that i will give her my credit card to secure the room, I just wanted to sit inside until check-in! Additionally, I stated that IF I would have made a reservation on line or by phone would i STILL be having this problem? No response. I then stated that this is "ridiculous that I cannot even sit in the facility until 2 PM. She then asks me ,"IF I have a car and where am I from . . . !". Recognizing that I have not shaved and I am carrying a "clean" backpack, I have some feelings baked into my DNA about being denied access to using a facility! Fortunately, it is a sunny day and I now have been allowed to sit out in the sun, in front of Red Roof Inn, until check in for the next three hours. I just need about two more days of recovery, ice & jacuzzi, before I continue my trek to Maine 1900+ miles.. Being on this journey for approximately one month this is the ONLY negative experience that I have had and frankly I hope it is the last. It has been a long time since I have been denied access to a facility in America (60s / 70s) and as a retired Marine Corps officer I am appalled. 1242 - I remain in front of The Red Roof Inn, Newport, TN until "check in!" (2:00 PM)."~Alan Anderson, SR