I've got a problem that I wonder how many others share. My wife doesn't share the same passion as I do for hiking or the trail. I'll give a long explanation of what I mean. I had always heard of the AT, but my first encounter of it was back in 1999. I had just returned to the states from an overseas military assignment and I was living in central Georgia. One weekend I decided to drive up into the mountains just to look around because I have always been a huge outdoors person ever since I was a kid. I didn't realize where the trail was until I saw several places where the trail crossed the road. Over the next year I made a couple of weekend hiking trips and needless to say I was hooked. In 2000 I told my wife I was seriously thinking about planning to thruhike the trail when I retired from the Air Force. Her first reaction to that was "Hey, if that's something you want to do". I actually started to cry because I was so happy that it APPEARED she supported me. Over the next year and a half as I continued to plan and prepare she realized I was actually going to go through with it and her attitude started to change. I think she figured I would grow out of the idea. We all know that's not something you just grow out of. When she finally came to grips with reality that I was actually going to do it she started saying things to me like "I can't promise you that I'll be here when you get back". I ended up having to compromise with her and do an abbreviated hike just to keep the peace. When I left Springer on March 9th, 2002 it was with the knowledge that I was only going to go as far as Hwy 501 in Pennsylvania because that was the closest road crossing to my dad's house where he could come and pick me up. At the time I was just happy to have had the opportunity to at least do what I was doing. However, every time I called home she would always ask me if I was ready to come home yet. By the time I reached Damascus she was practically telling me to get home. After the Shenandoahs I just stopped calling home because I was tired of hearing the complaining. I had already compromised once. I reached Pennsylvania on the exact day that I had planned because I was so prepared for that hike. I was trail hardened and could have kept right on going, but I had to stop. After I got home she was mad at me for about 2 weeks. In 2004 I geared up my wife (at her request) and took her up for a week on the trail just to show her what it was like. She enjoys the outdoors and likes to camp, but I think she thought I was out for a 3 month vacation. Well, she lasted about 4 days and realized real fast that it was hard work. I give her all the credit for giving it a try, but I think it really opened her eyes to how hard it really is.
Fast forward to the present. I had always vowed I would complete the trail some day. A situation has arisen which may present a window of opportunity. I currently have a well paying job with a military contractor. However, our operation will be closing down due to military base closures and realignments. I'm expecting to be laid off from my job around May of next year. Do you see the window opening? I am trying to put myself in a secure financial situation where I may be able to take 3 months off from starting another job and complete the northern half of the trail next summer. However, I'm not sure what my wife will have to say about it. I remember all too vividly the crap I had to put up with the last time so I don't know how to approach this. Does anyone else have this problem with an unsupportive spouse? How did you handle it?
Thanks,
Sarge