Logistics for a Modified Cool Breeze Hike of the AT

From The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's web site:

modified cool breeze

Hike the Trail in three ​sections. Start with the middle third of the Trail southbound, followed by the northern third northbound, ending with the southern third southbound.

 As we were reviewing the options on the ATC's web site, we liked the way this option sounded. Neither Pam or I deal well with the heat. Even when I lived in California, the heat would take me down if I didn't listen to my body. After living in the NW, where 60 degrees is considered a nice, warm day, I am now conditioned to avoid heat where I can. The heat along the East coast, combined with the humidity can and does kill people. 

We have been listening to a very good podcast presented by a hiker from the Class of 2014. We decided to wrote to Steve (Mighty Blue was his trail name) about his take on our idea to do this alternate hike configuration. His advice was to finish at Mt. Katahdin, as the culmination of the energy of the hike really made the hike up Katahdin magical. We gave Steve's suggestion a lot of thought and discussion, but in the end we decided to stick with our original plan. 

Having a good excuse to visit our friends ,John and Sue, in NJ was up there on the list of reasons. We would get to see them before heading off on the trail going south and then again when we were about to head north. The AT is about a 1/2 hour from their home. Also, if Bob and Terri haven't already moved to Texas by November, I might be able to convince these friends in Georgia to share a couple of congratulatory beers with us when/if we reach Springer Mountain. 

There are a few legs of this off-trail journey that have to be worked out. Getting from Huntsville, Texas (we are visiting Nedra here) to NJ is the first issue. John and Sue have generously agreed to drive us to the trail head after our visit. Once we hike to Troutville, Virgina, we have to get back to NJ or Bear Mountain area to hike the second leg north. Then, once we finish Mount Katahdin, ME, we'll have to get back down to Troutville to hike south. Then, then, the real question is what do we do with our life after the terminus at Springer Mountain???  Take one day at a time, I guess. Below logistics are we have figured out so far.

Huntsville, TX to Bear Mountain State Park, New York

Huntsville, TX to New Orleans, LA
Use Greyhound to get to New Orleans  $50/ea with one checked bag ($56/ea on weekends)

7:05am to 8:30pm with a 5-hour layover in downtown Houston

 AirB&B in NOLA
1 night stay in a home,  $63

New Orleans, LA to Penn Station, NYC

Amtrak ($260 for 2)  30-hour duration
20 Crescent Route

7:00am to 1:46pm the next day

Penn Station NYC to Westwood, NJ 
via bus--about an hour and half ride
Walk or use subway to bus station

Stay in Westwood, NJ
Visit good friends, share a few meals, play some music

Westwood, NJ to Bear Mountain State Park, New York
about a half-hour drive
Sunday, April 30th John and Sue have kindly offered to drive us to the trail head

Hiking
Once on the trail, we head south for 673.3 miles to Troutville, Virgina. Figure two months of travel as a rough estimate. May and June.

Troutville, VA to Bear Mountain State Park, NY
Troutville, VA to Roanoke, VA
 is 13 miles. There doesn't seem to be any public transit available.  Possibly set up an Uber account or the shuttle in Roanoke (Homer Witcher, witchers4@juno.com)

Amtrak Roanake, VA to Penn Station, NY 
$330 for 2

Roanoke, VA - Civic Center Bus Stop (RNK) to

New York, NY - Penn Station (NYP) 

Bus to Westwood, NJ

Westwood, NJ to Bear Mountain State Park, New York
John and Sue may take us or bus to Peekskill, NY, which is about four miles from where we started our walk--3-hour bus ride up the east side of the Hudson River.

Hiking
 While we may have to back track a few miles to make sure we cover the whole trail (if that's important to us), we head north from Bear Mountain State park to the northern terminus of Mount Katahdin. This is reported to be the toughest section of the trail, which contains the White Mountains of Vermont and Maine's 100-mile Wilderness. The 786.9 miles from Bear Mtn. SP to Mt. Katahdin could take as long as three months to get through. July, August and September.

Mount Katahdin State Park, Maine to Troutville, VI

Mount Katahdin SP to Millinocket
The Appalachian Trail Lodge (207-723-4321) (www.appachaintraillodge.com) in Millinocket has a shuttle service
Check Whiteblaze.net for other options
With lodging at the Lodge and shuttle services from Katahdin to Medway, $70-100

Millinocket to Medway
Appalachian Trail Lodge shuttle service--see above

Medway to Bangor 
Cyr Bus Lines 800.244.2335 <http://johntcyrandsons.com/daily-service/> One-way routes 7D $12. Cash & CC accepted. Routes below are to Concord Hub near airport; bus also stops at Greyhound station 20 min later on arrival

Medway 9:30am (station at Irving store) to Bangor 10:50

Bangor, ME to Boston, MA (South Station)
Concord Coach Lines  $43/each
https://concordcoachlines.com/route/bangor-augusta-boston-logan-airport/
Terminal located at Bangor Transportation Center, 1039 Union Street (1.5 miles from Bangor Airport)
Leaves Bangon 7:00am; Arrives Boston South Station 11:25am

Hotel in Boston 
Club Quarters Hotel in Boston $109/night
161 Devonshire St, Boston, MA 02110
7 minute walk from South Station

Boston, Mass. (South Station) to Roanoke, VA (Roanoke - Civic Center Bus Stop, VA (RNK))
Amtrak $230 for 2  Duration around 14 hours
Leaves 8:15am from Boston South Station
Arrives in Roanoke 10:25pm

Hotel in Roanoke
Hampton Inn & Suites Roanoke-Downtown
27 Church Ave SE, Roanoke, VA 24011
14 minute walk from Civic Center Bus Stop
 
Roanoke, VA to Troutville, VA
Shuttle in Roanoke (Homer Witcher, witchers4@juno.com)

Hiking
We resume hiking south from Troutville, VA and hike 729.6 miles to Springer Mountain in Georgia.

Post Springer Mountain

It's eight miles from the terminus at the top of Springer Mountain to the Amicalola Falls State Park. Whether we stay the night at the park or get a shuttle to Dahlonega or hitch a ride to Calhoun to have a beer with some friends or...it all really depends on where we're going after the trail, which has not been determined yet.