Update #2

OK! Everything is now set! I've rearranged my reservation at the Hiker Hostel and obtained my Amtrak ticket. I leave Delaware on April 1st, arrive in Georgia on April 2nd, and start the trail on April 3rd.
My knee is feeling better. I'm taking my prescriptions daily, stretching a lot, and wearing my brace almost daily as well.
I'm itching to get out on the trail and I made it a huge ordeal on myself having to rearrange my plans. But not to worry, I now have a few additional days to prepare (mentally, physically, emotionally, etc.) because my "preparations" were disrupted and that took a toll on me mentally. And if anything, the AT is mostly mental.

Setbacks..

Remember me talking about that shakedown hike? Well, it went ok. I did about 42 miles and got into a nice "hiker routine" on that trip. I figured out what worked well where in the pack, etc. However, my [bad] knee started to severely bother me about halfway through the hike. Once back home, I went for a checkup and had some x-rays taken. The screws from a previous surgery are fine and aren't the culprit of my pain. But the pain around my patella still persists. Apparently it was agitated.. My doctor has prescribed anti-inflammatory pills, a topical cream, a knee brace, and some physical therapy.

I've started on all of these in an effort to quickly recover and strengthen my knee. However, I've been told I do not have enough time to get my knee back to 100% before my departure to Georgia, which was supposed to be March 29th. My doctor and PT adviser suggest that I postpone my AT start date by about a week or two. This is tearing at me like you wouldn't believe; I was all ready to go. I will now have to change some reservations and get myself into another "gear-up mentality". :-/

I will say, however, that this is proving to be a test of my will. A will that IS going to see me start the trail--just about 2 weeks late. How could I not go? I've told myself I am going. I've told other people I am going. I've bought gear. I've gone on shakedown hikes. I've created web pages. I'm going, dammit. Now, back to these quad strengthening exercises...

It's Getting Close!

All final pieces of gear have been received! Tomorrow, I will go on a short 4 day warm-up/shakedown hike on the AT in MD into PA. I have booked my Amtrak ticket and will arrive in Gainesville, GA at 7am on March 30th. I'll spend that night at the Hiker Hostel and then start the trail on March 31st. Looking forward to it but my stomach muscles are tight..