First, congrats to you, your mom, and everyone else going!

I did C&O in 2009, and this year, am planning to do the GAP. Here's my "do I have everything?" planning thread for the C&O trip, and here's the trip report. Maybe you'll find them useful. Or not. Tough to say!

If you haven't already, you might want to join the C&O Towpath Yahoo! group, and also read Bike Washington's great C&O information; it's here.

I hope this helps; have fun!!