Bud and Vicki Hogan's 1996 Appalachian Trail Journey
July 2
We had an hour layover in Knoxville, a 2 1/2 hour layover in Atlanta, then we caught our last bus to Gainsville. In Knoxville, the bus route went through a reworked warehouse district, the old warehouses are now night clubs and restaurants. Looks fun. Then we "crossed the tracks", literally. And you wouldn't believe the change. Or maybe you know what I mean. The bus station not the greatest, it was sort of culture shock for us.
After Knoxville, Vicki was dreading Atlanta, but the bus station as well as the whole downtown had been fixed up for the Olympics. I'm glad we're getting out of Atlanta before the onslaught of people coming in for the Olympics.
From Atlanta to Gainsville we had a great bus driver. I think he was a frustrated radio announcer. He kept us entertained on the microphone. That morning when we got to Gainsville I started to find a phone and call a cab, when one suddenly pulled up at the bus station. $40 and 40 miles later we arrived at the beginning of the journey, Amacalola Falls.
Our car was really dirty, but all in one piece. A full tank of gas (one more simple point in a great plan) and we were ready to leave. But not before we took one last look at the trail. We walked through the ranger station, outside to the beginning of the trail, and sadly said goodbye, for now. But this was not really the end, just the beginning. We knew that we would be back.
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