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Nov. 29, 2023

Episode # 9 - Rebecca James & Burke's Garden Hostel

Episode # 9 - Rebecca James & Burke's Garden Hostel

After completing a section hike of the AT in 2009, the allure of the Trail stayed with Rebecca James (trail name “Cantelope”). When the time was right for a geographic move, she kept her eyes on proximity to the AT and settled into Burke’s...

After completing a section hike of the AT in 2009, the allure of the Trail stayed with Rebecca James (trail name “Cantelope”). When the time was right for a geographic move, she kept her eyes on proximity to the AT and settled into Burke’s Garden, Virginia - a slice of heaven much of the world passes by.

When the right property became available, the dream of serving AT hikers became a reality - just 3/4 of a mile from an AT trailhead and operated by Rebecca with her son Brad or “Bags.”

While new by most standards, the Burke’s Garden Hostel is quickly achieving notoriety for its warm welcome, uniquely peaceful setting, exceptional resupply store, and much more. RTK has a conversation with Cantelope about all of these aspects of hiking and the hostel - and what’s next and why AT thru-hikers are lille to enjoy a platinum experience with a visit to Burke’s Garden and with Cantelope and Bags.

Podcast Host: Bruce “RTK” Matson

The podcast host is Bruce (“RTK”) Matson, who completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2018 at age 61. His adventures were captured as part of the Hiking Radio Network podcast known as “Returning to Katahdin: An Appalachian Trail Dream.”

Bruce’s memoir of that hike is also available on Amazon.

The Platinum Blazing Podcast was inspired by the book: “Platinum-Blazing the Appalachian Trail: How to Thru-hike in 3-Star Luxury.” A new, updated edition has just been released. It is available on Amazon, on the Platinum Blazing website, and by writing to the editors at platinumblazing@gmail.com.

This new edition features many new Best Platinum honorees, including a new, Platinum-Blazing Hall of Fame. It also has a new section of the Best Platinum Shelters along the Appalachian Trail. Another chapter highlights the “Tennessee Hostel Hop” and the “Virginia is for Hostel Lovers Hike” - each listing helps hikers determine an itinerary to permit them to stay overnight in a hostel for over 200 miles straight in Tennessee and over 100 miles in Virginia.

More information about Platinum-Blazing is available as follows:

Please email Bruce at platinumblazing@gmail.com with any ideas you have for topics or guests, especially hostel owners, shuttle drivers, AT maintenance club members, owners of best Platinum eating establishments, recent thru-hikers, etc. Please feel free to suggest or nominate yourself.