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Before my journey began, I had to do some planning. I used Google maps to learn about my travel options to the airport. There was no easy way there; I had to take a 50 minute bus ride to NYC, a 40 minute subway ride from Port Authority, then a 15 minute tram ride to LaGuardia Airport. There were closer airports, but they were more expensive or only had inconveniently timed flights. I had to schedule in a 2 to 3 hour travel time and a 2 hour wait at the airport all while trying not to arrive in Atlanta too late, since I knew I would have to take a train and cab a ride once I arrived. All told, my travel time was 7:45 A.M. to 5 P.M. It would have been even longer if my family member hadn’t hooked me up with a ride to the bus stop.
The first part of my AT hiking journey was a bus ride from south Jersey to NYC. The under-bus storage space looked like it could scratch or tear the bag., so I managed to find a seat with room for the pack next to me. So unwieldy I learned to put its seat belt on. Since it was a little cold, I had on my hiking gear, sweatpants, a rain jacket, and a beanie, but no gloves. I carried the book Appalachian Trail Thru Hikers Companion, credit cards, and my phone. My view out of the bus window showed the post winter landscape. In NJ, there are some places with pine trees that stay green year round, but this view was mostly barren trees. From the bus, I caught the subway in NYC, which was easy since I only needed a credit card to board. Then a free bus shuttle took me to the airport. I brought two oversized yard waste bags for different purposes. The first, I used to wrap up my backpack and gear at the airport to have it checked in. The second, I cut to size to use as a ground cover under my tent. I had read that getting to the trail from the Atlanta airport was a challenging series of buses, trains, and private shuttles, so I began attempting to arrange my travels while waiting for my flight. Of my three Georgia-based contacts, no one was able to offer me a ride. When I looked up from my phone and walked to the gate for my 1:48 flight at 1:38 P.M. I was told that the doors closed at 1:39. I was rescheduled to take a later flight that would have me arrive in Atlanta near midnight. While aboard my new flight, I napped a little and then browsed the entertainment and chose”Bullet Train”. I was excited to see this otherwise $17 Brad Pitt movie for me, but unfortunately the plane landed beforeI was able to finish the movie. I had originally planned to blow money at a hotel upon my arrival in Atlanta, but I was instead able to easily arrange a Lyft ride for $93. It was difficult to find the driver when he arrived, since all airports, buses, and subways are a challenge to navigate unless you have some familiarity with the area. The driver took me to Amicalola Falls, but I wanted to be dropped off at the State Park. He agreed to drive me the rest of the way for another $25. I had expected to spend about $129 for the transportation during this part of my journey, so I happily obliged and gave him a tip as well. I finally arrived at the entrance to the trail at 2 A.M., found the shelter, and went to bed. I bumped my head hard on a board in that shelter once at night, and again in the morning, so I had a bruise on my freshly shaven head for the next three days. I had gotten rid of my hair to avoid packing shampoo and a comb. Unfortunately, my first day of hiking the Appalachian Trail involved no hiking, and no miles covered, but plenty of mishaps, challenges, let downs, and recoveries. However, I did have fun on the bus, subway, and train rides, so I was still cheerful as I took a final selfie in my shelter to send to the folks who care about my well being. My next three days were just as filled with let downs, challenges, and fun, but you'll have to read about them in my next blog post.
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