Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, May 2014

During my recent weekend in the Michaux State Forest I stayed at the Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel. Located on Route 233 and the Appalachian Trail in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, the hostel is indeed a mansion, built in 1829 and standing above the site of the old blast furnace. Next door is the park general store, and nearby is the blast furnace stack, Appalachian Trail Museum, and park office. The park lakes and Pole Steeple are within a couple of miles. And Springer Mountain in Georgia and Katahdin in Maine are in walking distance if you are ambitious.

The hostel was run, and run down,  by American Youth Hostels for many years, and AYH was in charge when I first stayed there in 2009. The building closed in 2010 and was purchased by the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, who did extensive renovation to the property. Now with Roger and Kathy as hosts the hostel is open 11 months of the year with the exception of days the building is booked for a wedding or other event.

I've never stayed alone at the hostel, but I've never seen more than four guests at a time. I'm curious to see how a full house would look, with conversation and guests spilling from room to room. Instead I've been blessed to meet on a one to one basis the fascinating people who hike the world's most famous footpath. One of them was Shane, on a "flip-flop" hike, starting in Harpers Ferry, ending in Maine, and then resuming in Harpers Ferry heading south. He is a delightful conversationalist, and an even better pianist. He was in tune the morning before the Pole Steeple hike, the piano not so much.

For more on the Ironmaster's Mansion, visit http://ironmastersmansion.com/

Teahorse Hostel, Harpers Ferry, April 2014

When I spend the night in a building instead of a tent or my car, I prefer to stay in a hostel. Yes, cost is a factor in my decision, but a hostel stay is an opportunity to meet fellow travelers and outdoor folks and learn from them. Also there's a historical aspect to hostel staying, as the community atmosphere is a throwback to an earlier era of travel with shared accommodations and meals. And camping prices keep going up and the wilderness aspect is disappearing.

During my Harpers Ferry stay Easter Weekend I spent the night at the Teahorse Hostel. When I first saw the Teahorse in 2013 my reaction was "what an odd name for a Japanese takeout place." And its an unusual name for a hostel, but once I learned it was named for the "Teahorse Road" in China, I understood. The owner is applying her love of history and linking the Teahorse Road to the C & O Canal Towpath and Appalachian Trail.

We had a full house Easter weekend, with section hikers on the AT, an AT volunteer, some cyclists riding the C & O, one family renting an entire room, and one formerly sedentary man rediscovering the wonders of Harpers Ferry. Bunk beds were comfortable, the area was quiet, company was good and the waffle breakfast was great. I'm looking forward to return trips to Harpers Ferry to explore the area, and if I don't camp the Teahorse will be a great alternative.

For more information on the Teahorse visit: http://www.teahorsehostel.com/