Date: 2010-03-27
To: Itinerary and more questions
Miles today: 0.0

My spring break is sadly coming to an end, and I unfortunately won¢t have much more free time to write until after graduation. But I feel I have much of the trip already worked out, although it is hard for me to plan anything past Connecticut! I do have a loose time line that I would ideally like to stick to, though: with a start date of May 27th, I want to be finishing up in Georgia by October 31st, leaving me 158 days, a rough average of 15 miles a day with some zero days sprinkled in. I¢d like to spend 18 hiking days in Maine, 15 in NH, 10 in VT, 6 in Massachusetts, 3 in Connecticut, 6 in NY, 5 in NJ, 15 in Pennsylvania, 3 days in Maryland, 36 in Virginia, 25 in Tenn./NC and 5 days in Georgia. Zero days are NOT factored in, and I¢m well aware that nothing ever goes according to plan. This will mostly help me determine drop box locations/times and if people want to hike sections with me.I have also figured out my travel arrangements to Maine from Colorado: - Amtrak - California Zephyr - departs Denver 7:50 pm and arrives in Chicago 3:30 pm ($97)- Amtrak - Lake Shore - departs Chicago 9:00 pm and arrives in Boston 9:10 pm ($90)- Amtrak - Down-easter - departs Boston 11:00 pm and arrives in Portland 1:25 am ($24)- Greyhound - departs Portland 8:15 am and arrives in Bangor 11:15 am ($25ish)- Greyhound - departs Bangor 6:00 pm and arrives in Medway 7:40 pm ($25ish)- From Medway to Millinocket I¢m thinking of using the AT Lodge - for $70.00 they¢ll pick me up in Medway, give me a bunk to sleep in in Millinocket, breakfast in the morning and provide a shuttle to Katahdin Stream Campground - sounds like a good deal (need to remind myself to make reservations, w/ the lodge and campground). Their website is: http://www.appalachiantraillodge.comTaking a train will allow my itinerary to remain flexible, and I also will not have to worry about losing some of my equipment to the TSA. Plus, I hate to fly.Thank you to everyone who has provided suggestions and support regarding my trip thus far. There is such a strong community centered around the AT, and I¢m fortunate to finally become a part of it. Very appreciated! If I can pick your brains further, I have a couple areas I¢m not so sure with - Does anyone know where I can find innovative camping recipes? I¢m familiar with all the basics but know after a few months I¢ll be sick of oatmeal, trail mix and pancakes. I¢m also a vegetarian, so need to find ones that are extra beneficial. Is there a preferred method of shopping along the way vs. drop boxes for food supply? I have a feeling that I¢ll utilize both, but didn¢t know if I should place more emphasis on one over the other.Perhaps the question I get the most after I first tell someone I plan on hiking the AT is, ¢Who are you going to hike it with?¢ It is sometimes difficult to explain to them(/not comforting to hear) that I¢ll be hiking by myself but will probably end up meeting and hiking with more people along the way. I know this is very much the case with northbound hikes, but does it still hold true if beginning in Maine?   I¢m honestly looking forward to few crowds, but don¢t want to be alone, alone all of the time. A question for female hikers - did you ever feel unsafe on the trail? Did you bring any sort of protection? I¢ve been thinking of bringing mace and/or a stun gun, but maybe I¢m just being unreasonable?