A Living Magazine - Day 309 - Homecoming - Elkton: The New England Plan

I got up around 8:00 a.m., and checking my email I noticed that someone else had made a donation specifically for another night. Wow! This was exactly what I needed. I could still write and not have to rush off.

I spent most of the day in the room writing. I just searched today as I write this (several days later) for photos from this day, but apparently I didn't take any. So, I'm going to use the opportunity to give a rudimentary idea of what the last leg of this Homecoming Journey will be like...

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THE NEW ENGLAND PLAN

I have made some radical changes to my final route, in order to try to see my Aunt Lynn (someone who has supported me very significantly, right from the beginning) in Concord, Massachusetts. It is a last minute addition to the plan. Concord is in the eastern part of Massachusetts, and presented a problem if I was to do the states I wanted in order. I might not be able to visit with her as she will be moving and in transition at just around the time I would arrive.

But with this new plan I am presented with a chance to do something very symbolic--go back to Boston.

This time I would stay in a hotel (you may recall that I spent the very first night of all of this project standing in the doorway of South Station in the pouring rain) - and then take the same Amtrak train to Maine that I took from Maine to Boston back in October of 2014.

How fitting and satisfying it would be to spend my last night in a dry, safe hotel room. To be comfortable in the same city where I almost lost hope and quit before I'd even begun my first crossing would be a sweet and auspicious end to this massive undertaking. Nothing would motivate me to keep pushing on through this next 270+ miles than the thought of "conquering" Boston. Even as I sit here, the Spark is sending strength to do this. I can feel it. 

The following are the routes of the final leg. Some of them may be altered if I need to hit more towns along the way for supplies, etc. Under each route will be an estimate for how many days are budgeted out for them...

Poughkeepsie, NY to Greenfield, MA

Ten to twelve days: Greenfield, MA by May 15th.

I'd like to spend two days and nights with my friend Melinda (another generous supporter from the very beginning) in Greenfield. So, by about May 18, I will depart and head for Brattleboro, VT...

Greenfield, MA to Brattleboro, VT

Two to three days: Brattleboro, VT by May 21.

I'd like to spend about seven to ten days in and around Brattleboro and southern Vermont. It is right on the border of New Hampshire. I've always considered that Vermont would be a very short stay. So, by about May 31, I will depart and head for Manchester, New Hampshire...

Brattleboro, VT to Manchester, NH

Five to six days: Manchester by June 6.

I'd like to spend two (or more) days and nights with my friend Jeff (a guy who has supported me from the beginning and given me nearly all of the things that I now have, including my precious tent) in Manchester. So, by about June 10, I will depart and head for Concord, Massachusetts...

Manchester, NH to Concord, MA

Four to five days: Concord by June 15.

I hope to somehow connect with my Aunt Lynn there in Concord, if not somewhere earlier along the way. If I am not able to see her, there may be other friends in the area to visit with, or I will just camp there for one night. So, by about June 16, I will depart and head for Boston... 

Concord, MA to Boston, MA

Two or three days: Boston by June 18. 

I will have reserved a hotel room in the city for June 20 (or maybe two nights June 19 and 20?), and bought my Amtrak ticket by then for June 21. So that no matter what, I WILL be at North Station on that day to catch the train to Portland, Maine. It will be tricky to time everything in the last couple of weeks correctly.

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I've left bits of wiggle room in the scheduling above, but not a heck of a lot as compared to these past months. I'm excited and also nervous. I know things are going to go wrong. Routes will change, meetings may be shorter or longer than planned. The weather, as always, will affect things. My flow of funding could also be an issue. But, all of these aspects to my project have come into play before. This will be my chance to see what I've learned in eighteen months and how well I can manage them all.

This has post has taken me all day. Regular posts shall resume again tomorrow. And, somehow in between rain storms I will begin my 120 mile walk--longest continuous one I have ever done. 

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At the motel room on the that day this post references, I worked all afternoon, then relaxed and watched the Travel Channel until I feel asleep. Again, as with the night before, I decided to wait until morning to pack up.