Thanks so much for all the information to everyone who posted. Based on everyone's help here is my current plan:
I plan is to just hike straight thru without staying at Whitehouse Landing. I am staying with the AT Lodge pre hike and they are going to do my resupply midway.
I think I will just keep my trail runners on the whole time and have extra dry socks.
As always my plan is subject to change. Thanks again,
Rick