I have spent the last three days in the Asheville NC

[msfiddlestix]

73. Yes, Roanoke has Amtrak service again, I understand it was limited for destinations but not boarding

for a considerable time. Don't know when that changed,

Roanoke was the closest in mileage to Hillsville in terms of train or air travelers, and would cost less to uber/taxi over to Hillsville.

Since I'm on a shoestring budget, I've decided against immediately renting a car until after I've settled in for a day. There's a chance I may be connected to a friend of my friend with a car to lend or rent for much lower rate than the commercial rentals. Not worked out yet, but any way I can lower the cost of my stay there is a necessity.

If I do have to rely on commercial rentals, I'll need to plan out my day trips wisely. I want to see a friend in Asheville, haven't worked out the mileage and time on that trip yet. I know there's a lot I want to do while there, and the time will speed by like lightening.

I have my trip to Virginia and my return worked out as well as I can given this is my first coast to coast Amtrak experience. I'll be on the Zephyr at least to Chicago, not sure which trains are taking me to Washington then Roanoke.

I actually will start and end with an Amtrak motor coach from where I live to Martinez Ca, board there and then through to Chicago where I will have a 4 hour layover and switch trains from there to Washington DC, layover there for 2 hours, switch to another train to Roanoke. It's 4 day 3 night trip. Which promises to be brutal in some aspects riding coach, unless I upgrade along the way to a "roomette" and about 3 x the cost of coach each way. I've decided to rough it unless it's impossible and there's availability.

I'm gonna try to make the best of it, some friends of mine are strongly recommending I upgrade at the start. I'm going to work out my budget a little more and see if I can make that happen. It's gonna be worth which ever decision I make, because I can still see from memory the beauty of that region and of course experiencing and just being at the place where the music I play originated is going to be awesome.

I also want to make the most of the layovers in Chicago and Washington DC. Have to research the location of the stations to the proximity of "things to do and see" which I don't expect will be much.

I also want to get a little hiking in and will definitely rely on your rec's.

Lol...very ambitious. we'll see how things actually work out.

"Best Laid Plans"..... having a way to modify greatly.