Maybe there is consensus to move earlier-- I was just trying to shoe-horn it into a 3-day weekend as most people have jobs to consider (less of an issue for me as I have freedom to 'get the job done' when I can, tho that could change...)

Still, I'm planning on a Sep 1st departure.

I'm guessing that others may be planning the trip to coincide with your start date which is totally cool with me. It would be a great way to send you off on your journey and makes for easier planning as well since you have a set date. I'm still in the preliminary stages of trying to figure out how to schedule the various tours I would like to get in this year so don't go by my schedule at all.