Date: 2005-03-06
To: Georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Goldilocks and I are sitting in the waiting area in Penn Station, NYC, waiting for our train to GA.The best laid plans...  I was really naive I guess, because I actually thought that the last few days of prep would be uneventful, as I had planned everything so far in advance.  Hah.  Yesterday was the day to print final copies of the various spreadsheets, containing every kind of list.  Well, I recently set up a Mac computer and the HP OfficeJet printer drivers haven't been working well on it.  Rats, aside from printing our stuff, it was important to have the home networking environment all stable for the non-hiking members of the family.  So, as I'm working with the printer, it becomes apparent that the network router is hosed.  This thing has just worked without a peep for the last 4 years, and chose 14 hours before our southbound train to die.  Any suggestions how I can interpret this as a GOOD omen are appreciated. I can't think of one right now.  Goldilocks' brother Mike and I ran over to Staples.  We had a new router installed and configured in an hour.  Sweet.  And !I've done all I can with the stupid printer, and will rely on Mike's capable care to keep the home computing environment alive.  I wanted to have it in better shape, but there you have it.  The first of many involuntary adjustments to my trip plans.This morning saw us hugging and saying goodbyes at the train station in Pawling, NY.  Stewart came for the ride, looking very worried.  I think he wishes he could fit in my pack.  Our current plans have us meeting with Mrs. Moosie again at the end of April and Stewart and Mike in early June.  That's a long time!Goldilocks and I made it into the city and walked across to Penn Station, taking a few pictures and grabbing a snack along the way.  We certainly wouldn't want to waste away before we start hiking...4:30 pmThe Amtrak Crescent to New Orleans (we get off at Gainesville), is stopped for a short break in Philadelphia.  We've settled in nicely in our first class Viewliner Roomette -- very cozy.  Our attendant's name is Steve (we have an attendant!  Pretty cool!).  We each had a nice cup of complimentary tea when we boarded, and now we're reading the magazines Easy Cheese and TV Guide gave us, journaling a bit, and waiting for dinner.  I peeked in the dining car on the way in, and they have cloth napkins and tablecloths - always a good sign.  I wonder if the shelters will have such good amenities.  Heh.  Apparently we have a shared shower facility.  I think I'll go check that out in a minute.  Wonder what's for dinner...?7:30 pmBack from a good steak dinner, sharing a table with an interesting guy named Billy.  He's an art student in NYC on his way home to North Carolina for Spring break.  We stopped a long time in Washington DC, and we're finally on the move again.  It's nice to be moving.Goldilocks is half-heartedly working on a scholarship essay, a last holdover of things undone at home.  We all forgot about it, and he gave a big sigh when we remembered just two days ago.  He got a good start on it, but it still needs some work.I'm not sure how long my pocketmail emails can be, so I better close this one off (too late you say?).Nighty night.