Tentative Plan - Worcester, MA to Springer Mt, GA

Stepping back from the psychological and philosophical side for a bit, let's talk some logistics. In particular: How am I getting to the southern terminus?

Last month when my friend Memo was in the area, we spent some time together and he filmed me a bit in my former office and at home talking about some of the equipment and stuff, for a possible documentary on my hike.  I mentioned offhand that it would be awesome if he was around to see me off at Springer Mt to film that first step.

I didn't really expect he'd be able to manage it, so I went on ahead with the assumption that I would take a train from Boston, MA to Gainesville, GA and use a shuttle service from there to Springer Mt. I'd been planning to leave MA around 3/10 or 3/11.

While it's not etched in stone yet, I have been talking to Memo recently and it looks like he'll be able to make some time for the trip there and back.  The plan thus far is to take a train from Boston to NYC on 3/7 to stay with Memo that night, then hit the road first thing on the 8th and drive the 15 some-odd hours to either TN or GA - depending on one of his friends in the area we may or may not stay with that night.

So, either stay with his friend or rent a room somewhere en route on the 8th, and on the 9th head to Springer Mt area, where I'll have a room or cabin booked to stay the night before the hike begins. One last night of "luxury" - so probably a cabin if they're still available when I get the go ahead to book rooms.

Thus Sunday, hit the Trail.

There are details to work out, of course... but that's the general idea as it stands right now. Somewhere along the drive, we'll stop at a theater to see Captain Marvel - despite the fact that Memo couldn't care less about Marvel films - so I'll be primed and ready for Avengers in April - where I'll take a zero-day or two away from the green tunnel to watch superheroes beat the snot out of each other.

I will need to determine if I'll start with the Approach Trail or bypass that to start on the A.T. proper.  The Approach Trail is a bit of a rite-of-passage for thru hikers, so I'm leaning that way ... but it is a nearly full day hike on its own, so we'll see.

Part of the joy of this hike is I can keep plans somewhat loose, as so much planning ends up in the rubbish anyway for one reason or another once you're actually out there - so I hear!