Meeting up with through-hiker

[mapenshorn]

I'm meeting up with my brother Jason (Sal Paradise) on the trail at the end of the month near North Woodstock and am wondering if any of you know the best way of getting there (bus/rail etc) Im probably going to be taking the bus from Milwaukee to Boston (29 hours - woo-hoo!) but from there Im a little lost. Any suggetions on east coast travel would be helpful. Thanks.

[rickb]

I'm no bus expert, but FWIW:

1. For your purposes North Woodstock, NH = Lincoln, NH Lincoln, NH is more likely to show up on the bus schedules on the web. the only Train you will see there is a local tourist thing. You can walk between Lincoln and North Woodstock (a mile or so) .

2. Your bus to Boston will probaly drop you off at South Station. Buses should go to NH from there. I know buses leave from the Airport as well, but everything else being equal, why go there?

3. If you have some time to kill, it would be a bit of a walk to wait in a more interesting area of town (South Station in a Business District), or take the T. http://www.mbta.com/traveling_t/schedules_subway.asp

[gr8fulyankee]

This is what you are looking for.
http://www.concordtrailways.com/new_...s_schedule.htm

[Tramper Al]

First off, anyone who would travel 29 hours by bus to hike with his brother is pretty cool in my book. Perhaps with his trail name of Sal Paradise, however, I should not be at all surprised.

I can offer a link to our local Greyhound affliliate, Vermont Transit. I serach long enough to find a bus route going from Boston to Lincoln, NH, but with a pretty long stopover in Concord, NH. Perhaps with a good effort you can do better. You might also look at Bonanza as well.

Good luck!

[mapenshorn]

Thanks for all the help guys. I can just see myself taking that bus and then not being able to find him out there and just hiking by myself. Now, wouldnt that be a story.

[Deafsmart]

New Amtrak Downeaster, from Portland to Boston and from there, I can get connecting trains home.

[Rambler]

New Amtrak Downeaster, from Portland to Boston and from there, I can get connecting trains home.

Yes. You want to go to Lincoln NH, The AT is about 4 miles west of the gas station where the bus stop is. Click on "Lincoln" to see a picture and directions. There are motels near the bus stop easily walking distance. Soth Station is near downtown Boston, but note thew bus leaves from the airport, too (Logan).
http://www.concordtrailways.com/litt...s_schedule.htm

Hanover would be another easy place to meet up, but a few days hike south of ther junction near Lincoln. The AT passes right through Hanover and the bus stops right by the Dartmouth College student center and downtown Hanover.

Portland, ME is way out okf your way, a long way from the AT.

[Deafsmart]

Sorry if I sway off the topic on meeting thru-hiker in Maine. I sent off my thread because repairman came to my door.

For all-land route and time consideration in long-distance travel, take Amtrak Vermonter. The best stop for Amtrak is White River Junction, VT and it bordered with New Hampshire as well for Vermont Transit Bus Line. Read along for further options:

• From Milwaukee, WI (MKE) leaving 5:45 p.m. on Train Nos. 340 Hiawatha Service to Chicago, IL and then bound on Train Nos. 48 Lakeshore Limited for 15h 35m and arriving Albany-Rensselaer, NY. Train uncouple and re-engine for Boston (DO NOT DISEMBARK UNLESS DIRECT), become Train Nos. 448 Lakeshore Limited, leaving Albany-Rensselaer, NY 30 minute later. Arrive Springfield, MA (SPG) at 3:37 p.m., 2h 37m. Total $90.00, 18h 12m.

Alas, you will miss Train Nos. 56 Vermonter, at Springfield, MA (SPG) by 22 minute. Either spend your night in Springfield, MA and wait out next day freshen up or proceed for the bus journey (see below) on second leg on the same day you get off from the train. FYI, if you opt to stay and allow train to travel all-water route, south from New York City Pennsylvania Station, you will have to think twice on paying more. Springfield or Boston is best option and then for second trip up north.

• On the following day Train Nos. 56 Vermonter, leaving Springfield, MA (SPG) at 3:15 p.m. and arrive White River Junction, VT at 6:40 p.m. Journey time takes 3h 25m, $36.00. If leave from New York Pennsylvania (NYP) station, it would have cost $61.00, $25.00 more.

• If your brother Jason (Sal Paradise) isn't tired, hop http://www.vermonttransit.com/fares....ansit Bus Line on Peter Pan Terminal, 1780 Main Street and go northward. You can purchase a ticket via
  Greyhound Bus Lines USA or call 800 451-3292.

• To get on Appalachian Trail, take free Advance Transit (AT) Orange Route (802) 295-1824. leaving behind White River Junction and will traverse you over Connecticut River to West Lebanon, NH and head straight along Main Street to the heart of Dartmouth, NH. Get off at well-known Hanover Inn, N. Main and W. Wheelock Streets. This is college town bus stop; Concord and Dartmouth Coach bus lines depart and arrive at this point from Boston. Vermont Transit hailed at Garber Travel, 57 South Main, Hanover, NH.

Current Appalachian Long DistanceHikers Association edition of the “Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers’ Companion” focus more on Hanover, NHhttp://www.aldha.org/comp_pdf.htm


Sources:

• Amtrak

• Vermont Transit Bus Line

• Greyhound Bus Lines USA

• Upper Valley free local transit agent, Advance Transit (AT)

• Concord Trailways: Concord Bus and Dartmouth Coach

• Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association

[bearbait2k4]

I'm meeting up with my brother Jason (Sal Paradise) on the trail at the end of the month near North Woodstock and am wondering if any of you know the best way of getting there (bus/rail etc) Im probably going to be taking the bus from Milwaukee to Boston (29 hours - woo-hoo!) but from there Im a little lost. Any suggetions on east coast travel would be helpful. Thanks.

Go to www.greyhound.com

You can travel from Milwaukee to Lincoln, NH (10-20 minute walk from N. Woodstock) for the same price and same time length as you would going to Boston. Depending on when you are leaving, you may still be able to get a 7-day advance ticket price, which cuts the fare in half.

Here's a map that shows 'driving directions' from Lincoln to North Woodstock.

http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?newa...NH&tcountry=us

[mapenshorn]

Thanks to all who replied to my question. I cant believe I got such good detailed help. Now the only thing left to do is get my butt out of my office desk and get into some sort of shape that wont get killed by the Whites.