Itinerary

I leave tomorrow night. Everything is prepared, just have to do a bit of housecleaning today, and then tomorrow put the final touches on. I was planning, when I was scheduled to leave on Friday, on taking the county transit to the Charlottesville train station. But as they don't run on Sunday, I'm going to have to get a cab. Thinking I'll try that uber thing--I guess I should contact them today.

Anyway, I'm posting my itinerary here, just in case anyone needs to find me or get in touch with me. I'll have my cell phone (434) 981-8303, and you can email (michaelsdupre@gmail.com), text, or call, although most likely I'll have to call you back, since it will be off most of the time to spare battery power, and I'll only be checking in a couple of times a day. But, you never know: I could lose it, or we could get hit by an EMP, or whatever. Also posting it here, so that if I lose my phone where the file is saved, or it dies, I can get on anybody's computer or phone and find out where I'm supposed to be and how to get in touch with them. So here's where and when I'll (tentatively) be.

1/29
Depart Amtrak Charlottesville 8:52 PM

1/30
Arrive Amtrak Gainesville 6:58 AM

1/30
Hiker Hostel 770-312-7342
7693 US Hwy 19, Dahlonega, Ga 30533

1/31
Amicalola Falls Trailhead, AT Approach Trail

2/7
Mountain Crossings Hostel 706-745-6095
12471 Gainesville Hwy, Blairsville, Ga 30512

2/14
Top of Georgia Hostel 706-982-3252
7675 US Hwy 76 E, Hiawassee, Ga 30546

2/21
Gooder Grove Hostel 828-332-0228
130 Hayes Cir, Franklin, NC 28734

2/28
Hike Inn 828-479-3677
3204 Fontana Rd, Fontana Dam, NC 28733

3/7
Grand Prix Motel 865-436-4561
235 Ski Mtn Rd, Gatlinburg, Tn 37738

3/14
Lauging Heart Lodge 828-622-0165
289 NW US Hwy 25/70, Hot Springs, NC 28743

3/21
Uncle Johnny’s Hostel 423-735-0548
151 River Rd, Erwin, Tn 37650

3/28
Mountain Harbour B&B 423-772-9494
9151 Hwy 19 E, Roan Mtn, Tn 37687

4/4
Hiker’s Inn 276-475-3788
216 E Laurel Ave, PO Box 396, Damascus, Va 24236
mail to:
Mt Rogers Outfitters 276-475-5416
110 W Laurel Ave, PO Box 546, Damascus, Va 24236

4/10
Relax Inn 276-783-5811
7253 Lee Hwy, Rural Retreat, Va 24368
mail to:
The Barn Restaurant 276-686-6222
7412 Lee Hwy, Rural Retreat, Va 24368

4/18
Woods Hole Hostel 540-921-3444
3696 Sugar Run Rd, Pearisburg, Va 24134

4/25
Four Pines Hostel 540-309-8615
6164 Newport Rd, Catawba, Va 24070

5/2
Staying with my daughter in Lynchburg

5/9
Stanimal’s Hostel 540-290-4002
328 Lee Dr, Waynesboro, Va 22980

5/16
Home

I'm setting myself a very moderate pace of six miles a day for the first couple of weeks, until I get to the Georgia border. Then I'll increase it to 8-10 through North Carolina and Tennessee, and then around 12 when I get to Virginia. I've given myself enough time to be able to maintain that all the way through, and still finish by October 15th, but I may increase it at some point, depending on how I feel. I'll make those decisions when I stop at home and plan the second "half" (actually, a bit more than half--from Amicalola Falls, Ga to Swift Run Gap, four miles from my house, is 916 miles, leaving 1282 to Mt. Katahdin).

Anyway, when I get home, I'll take a week or so to get a good rest, wash everything, repair and/or replace gear, plan all the stops for the second half, order supplies, pack resupply drops, and check on my house and garden. Then set out again around the last week in May, and that will give me 4½-5 months to walk that 1282 miles.

Can't wait to get on that train tomorrow. I've been going nuts here, confined in this house with nothing to do but plan and prepare.