We have bus tickets. Boston. February 18th. 10 am. See you there. Well, probably not, hopefully I'll see you before.
I'm at Brown for the weekend, if any of you follow the blog real-time. I'll be home Monday.
ttfn
Amicacola Falls State Park
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Write, A Blog
Ok. So our dreams of a glamorous train voyage to Gainesville have been thwarted by Amtrak's incredible efforts to make sure no-one ever rides trains. We were looking at trains from Providence to Georgia, but they wouldn't give us a student discount unless we bought their $20 Student Advantage card. Yeah, spend $20 on a card to save $17 on the ticket. Really helpful for a student on a student's budget, huh?
I called an asked if they had a real student discount. Nope, just trying to sell their cards. I told the poor call center person this is why people fly instead and hung up. Seriously. It would be $180 a person to sit on their freaking trains for a day and a half. Which really stinks because I was kind of getting my heart set on the class and style of a train. Guess you get what you pay for.
Anyways, they inspired us to look at other things, like Greyhound. Those great folks over there at the all-American bus line are able to hook the three of us up with tickets for about the cost of one train ticket. Sure, a bus won't be as comfortable or exciting at a train, but how can we complain with the pricetag. We're going to wait until the morning to make sure its cool with the folks to drive into Boston early in the morning of the 18th, but with all that in place we should be able to get to GA by noon Thursday and for only about $60 a head. Worrrd. :)
I need to stop saying anyways. But anyways, that's the plan we're looking at now. 1 day, 3 hours, and 40 minutes or so on a handsome, stylish, totally not a train like bus. Its almost as though Greyhound seeks to transport people around the country while the folks at Amtrak don't want any plebes joining their country club. Maybe not the most comfortable way to travel but hey, we have 6 months to stretch our legs. Tomorrow we'll choose whether we leave at 1 am or 8 am, buy the tickets, and move on to the next hurdle.
P.S. If Julie, the Amtrak of a virtual assistant, is reading this blog... We've moved on. Gracie, the lovely and talented Greyhound virtual assistant, is wayyy better. Brett has serious crush on her. ;)
I called an asked if they had a real student discount. Nope, just trying to sell their cards. I told the poor call center person this is why people fly instead and hung up. Seriously. It would be $180 a person to sit on their freaking trains for a day and a half. Which really stinks because I was kind of getting my heart set on the class and style of a train. Guess you get what you pay for.
Anyways, they inspired us to look at other things, like Greyhound. Those great folks over there at the all-American bus line are able to hook the three of us up with tickets for about the cost of one train ticket. Sure, a bus won't be as comfortable or exciting at a train, but how can we complain with the pricetag. We're going to wait until the morning to make sure its cool with the folks to drive into Boston early in the morning of the 18th, but with all that in place we should be able to get to GA by noon Thursday and for only about $60 a head. Worrrd. :)
I need to stop saying anyways. But anyways, that's the plan we're looking at now. 1 day, 3 hours, and 40 minutes or so on a handsome, stylish, totally not a train like bus. Its almost as though Greyhound seeks to transport people around the country while the folks at Amtrak don't want any plebes joining their country club. Maybe not the most comfortable way to travel but hey, we have 6 months to stretch our legs. Tomorrow we'll choose whether we leave at 1 am or 8 am, buy the tickets, and move on to the next hurdle.
P.S. If Julie, the Amtrak of a virtual assistant, is reading this blog... We've moved on. Gracie, the lovely and talented Greyhound virtual assistant, is wayyy better. Brett has serious crush on her. ;)
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Right, A Blog
Ok Mike. New Rule. You can only tell people about the blog as much as you write in it. I mean, when people ask about the trip I almost always tell them I'll be keeping a blog so they can follow along from the comfort of their own homes, but then they must get here and be very disappointed at only a couple of posts and from months ago. Time to change that.
Lot's has changed since we last spoke. Well. Not much has changed since we last spoke. I finished school, celebrated Christmas with the family, went out to Colorado with a friend, and am now back on Cape Cod for the last month. For Christmas I got a bunch of new gear which I'll tell you about in detail in a gear list post.
A couple of nights ago Brett, Sam, and I went out into the woods and spent a cold, New England January evening in a tent to do a first cold weather "Shake Down" of our gear. We went out into the woods of Mashpee, pitched a tent, built a fire, and chilled around while some snow made the scene perfectly picturesque. It was a good test. The night time low that night was around 28. This is warm for Cape Cod in January, but hopefully not too far off what we can expect in Georgia in February. I managed to make the night outside with leggings and hiking shorts on, and just an undershirt and medium jacket on top, plus a hat and gater. All three of us slept on matching Thermarest Z-Lite pads with our mummy bags. I had brought a fleece liner just in case, but managed the night just fine in only my Marmot Neverwinter 30. That morning we walked out of the woods and made a breakfast which couldn't be beat. I feel pretty set with my kit in that regard. I can't imagine February in Georgia will be markedly more cold than a New England now in a snow storm. When I start to put a final kit together we'll see if my weight can afford another layer.
The Scene of the Crime
The next big update as of present is that we are looking into train tickets. Sometime in the week after Valentine's day we will ride the Amtrak from Providence to Gainesville. From there there is allegedly a shuttle man that will take us to Amicacola Falls State Park where we will set out. I think I might call him this afternoon to figure out how he operates. Our first day on the trail could be an interesting one, depending on how the train works out. Hopefully we'll buy the train tickets in the next couple of days (I've been saying that for a couple of days now).
Anyways, there is probably more I could say but I think I'l save it for another update so I won't have to go another month. I'll be sure to post when we purchase the train tickets. Till then I can just say for sure, less than 1 month to go! Until next time, y'all.
Lot's has changed since we last spoke. Well. Not much has changed since we last spoke. I finished school, celebrated Christmas with the family, went out to Colorado with a friend, and am now back on Cape Cod for the last month. For Christmas I got a bunch of new gear which I'll tell you about in detail in a gear list post.
A couple of nights ago Brett, Sam, and I went out into the woods and spent a cold, New England January evening in a tent to do a first cold weather "Shake Down" of our gear. We went out into the woods of Mashpee, pitched a tent, built a fire, and chilled around while some snow made the scene perfectly picturesque. It was a good test. The night time low that night was around 28. This is warm for Cape Cod in January, but hopefully not too far off what we can expect in Georgia in February. I managed to make the night outside with leggings and hiking shorts on, and just an undershirt and medium jacket on top, plus a hat and gater. All three of us slept on matching Thermarest Z-Lite pads with our mummy bags. I had brought a fleece liner just in case, but managed the night just fine in only my Marmot Neverwinter 30. That morning we walked out of the woods and made a breakfast which couldn't be beat. I feel pretty set with my kit in that regard. I can't imagine February in Georgia will be markedly more cold than a New England now in a snow storm. When I start to put a final kit together we'll see if my weight can afford another layer.
The Scene of the Crime
The next big update as of present is that we are looking into train tickets. Sometime in the week after Valentine's day we will ride the Amtrak from Providence to Gainesville. From there there is allegedly a shuttle man that will take us to Amicacola Falls State Park where we will set out. I think I might call him this afternoon to figure out how he operates. Our first day on the trail could be an interesting one, depending on how the train works out. Hopefully we'll buy the train tickets in the next couple of days (I've been saying that for a couple of days now).
Anyways, there is probably more I could say but I think I'l save it for another update so I won't have to go another month. I'll be sure to post when we purchase the train tickets. Till then I can just say for sure, less than 1 month to go! Until next time, y'all.
Monday, December 1, 2014
First Status Update
Alright. So trail journal fans; lets catch up.
This journey hasn't started yet, but planning has been going on for a looong time. This journal is just the first I've really been able to start talking about it. I know I've mentioned to a lot of people that I would let them know about this journal when I set it up. Hopefully it will be the best way for friends and acquaintances to follow along with my goings-on as we traipse through the mountains. If you've found this post, awesome. If you haven't, let me know and I'll tell you how to.
The idea for this trip didn't go from not-existing to existing in any singular event. The idea of a thru-hike has evolved from a far-fetched dream we shared to a far-fetched idea that we are executing. The past few months have been spent trying to convince my mom we'll be alright, that I'm not messing up my future, and that it is feasible as well as possible. Trying to make that point has forced me to tackle a lot of challenges. Turns out my mom has very valid concerns for my well-being, and over the past months we've put in a lot of effort to find solutions to every possible problem she's presented. I'm not going to go into the details here, but I'll probably end up writing more about the planning process as the start date approaches.
Right now is apropos to starting this blog because this past week proved to be a critical one in the realization of plans. Last Tuesday I signed the papers saying I intend to take next semester off of school. Then I went home for Thanksgiving and affirmed the intentions with Sam and Brett, who will be hiking with me. I regrettably learned that our good friend Carl won't be joining us; I wish him the best at UMass Amherst come spring. With the team confirmed and the commitment made we can really start the logistical planning for the trip. We're thinking about start dates, we're thinking about gear purchases, we're thinking about the trail.
For now I'm researching online for trail information on Reddit and elsewhere and trying to study up for finals (shoot. right. finals. urghhh). Gotta knock out the school work before we can really get down to the planning.
If anyone is looking to hire me for odd jobs in late January/ February I'm looking for work to sure up funds. Tell your friends.
We'll be in touch.
This journey hasn't started yet, but planning has been going on for a looong time. This journal is just the first I've really been able to start talking about it. I know I've mentioned to a lot of people that I would let them know about this journal when I set it up. Hopefully it will be the best way for friends and acquaintances to follow along with my goings-on as we traipse through the mountains. If you've found this post, awesome. If you haven't, let me know and I'll tell you how to.
The idea for this trip didn't go from not-existing to existing in any singular event. The idea of a thru-hike has evolved from a far-fetched dream we shared to a far-fetched idea that we are executing. The past few months have been spent trying to convince my mom we'll be alright, that I'm not messing up my future, and that it is feasible as well as possible. Trying to make that point has forced me to tackle a lot of challenges. Turns out my mom has very valid concerns for my well-being, and over the past months we've put in a lot of effort to find solutions to every possible problem she's presented. I'm not going to go into the details here, but I'll probably end up writing more about the planning process as the start date approaches.
Right now is apropos to starting this blog because this past week proved to be a critical one in the realization of plans. Last Tuesday I signed the papers saying I intend to take next semester off of school. Then I went home for Thanksgiving and affirmed the intentions with Sam and Brett, who will be hiking with me. I regrettably learned that our good friend Carl won't be joining us; I wish him the best at UMass Amherst come spring. With the team confirmed and the commitment made we can really start the logistical planning for the trip. We're thinking about start dates, we're thinking about gear purchases, we're thinking about the trail.
For now I'm researching online for trail information on Reddit and elsewhere and trying to study up for finals (shoot. right. finals. urghhh). Gotta knock out the school work before we can really get down to the planning.
If anyone is looking to hire me for odd jobs in late January/ February I'm looking for work to sure up funds. Tell your friends.
We'll be in touch.
Hola
Soo... This is my Trail Journal.
Starting sometime in February (or March 1 at the latest) a couple good friends an I will start walking from Springer Mountain in Georgia with the intention of heading North until;
a) We hit the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine and complete the trail.
b) We run out of money and food
c) Mid-August when school comes around.
Until then we're planning, I'll try blogging, and we'll be getting excited for the trek.
Starting sometime in February (or March 1 at the latest) a couple good friends an I will start walking from Springer Mountain in Georgia with the intention of heading North until;
a) We hit the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine and complete the trail.
b) We run out of money and food
c) Mid-August when school comes around.
Until then we're planning, I'll try blogging, and we'll be getting excited for the trek.
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