I will be doing an 18 day section hike with my dog. I was planning to go in Oct but decided Sept would be better. I was planning on starting just north of the GSMNP, maybe in Hot Springs and try to make it to Damascus. Is this a good section, keep in mind i will need to end in a place where i can get a ride back to my starting point. Should i start further north? Is the scenery better in S VA or N NC? From my research its about 190miles from Hot Springs to Damascus... does this sound right? Anyone have a good map that has trail miles on it for NC and VA?