Date: 2018-01-21
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Miles today: 0.0

Zin and I just spent the last day and a half traveling across the country to get to Springer Mountain, GA to start the hike.  Needless to say, I'm suffering from a case of car butt but we've at least reached our destination - Amicalola Falls State Park.  We're spending the night at the Lodge - his last night of luxury before the adventure begins.   Having made good time, we were able to grab lunch and do a bit of hiking down the 600 stairs next to the Falls to the visitors center where we could take Zin's picture at the entrance to the Approach Trail and he could sign in and get his hiker # for the trail - He's #17.The past few weeks have been doing a lot of preparation for him and with me trying to help as best I could.  For those of you supporting a thru hiker here are a few of the things we did together as we prepared for the next 6 months apart.1.  Made lists....lots of lists.   What tasks needed to be done while he was gone - vet trips, turn on the sprinklers, service the cars.  What his schedule was for doing some of those "once in awhile" tasks like cleaning the light fixtures, the top of the cupboards, wiping down baseboards etc.  He's been retired so he does a lot of things around the house so I can work and then we can spend time together when I'm done.  I'll need to pick up the slack now.2.  Reviewed what I need to do with our taxes this year.  Zin's an Accountant so he took care of these things.  I am by degree as well but hate taxes with a passion beyond compare.   Here's where # 1 comes in handy - he made a list of what documents I need so I can check them off as they come in so I know I have everything.3.  Discuss where you want to meet while you have a thru hiker on the trail.   I work full time and travel some of the time for work so it's not quite so simple for me to just pick up and go.  I need to coordinate a pet sitter, make sure the world is not going to explode at work while I'm gone. I'm not irreplaceable but it seems that the chaos seems to kick in just before I'm about to go somewhere and I hate burdening others with the mess.   I'm physically able to do the trail but I inherently have a phobia of being a burden to Zin or slowing him down as well of things that can be a physical challenge to me at my height.  We talked about spots that were pretty and not overly intimidating but know that in my heart I should be at the start and at the end.  Again, he made me a list of place and estimated dates so I can decide what makes sense and fits what's going on at home/work while he's away.  4.  Make sure you understand, in general, where your thru hiker is going to be.  I say in general because you don't know whether they are going to have to take a zero day, it's just a crappy day for hiking (mentally, physically, weather/trail wise) or some other reason.   I don't want to be in panic mode if I don't hear from him in 2-3 days so I know he'll let me know when I may not hear from him for a bit.  We've heard reception with Verizon is pretty good on the trail so we're hoping to at least get a quick check in text daily when he's on the trail.  I've also got a copy of the AT trail guide that I can follow him along via the guide.5.  Discuss whether they do or do not want care packages.  Zin is a bit iffy on this so we know there will be a few that he wants  to have like his 1st resupply and when he needs new hiking boots (he's got big feet so finding his size in an outfitter isn't likely so we already have another pair on hand that I can send).6.  Build up the hype for your hiker.  There are going to be some rough days ahead for your hiker.   They need motivation sometimes.  Each is unique in what works for them.  Zin looks at having a following as a means of holding him accountable to finish.  He doesn't want to disappoint anyone, including himself.   He's pasted a link to his journal on facebook as will I so all of my contacts can follow along as well.  I've included it in my Christmas cards, shared it in my out of office message as I drive him to GA and take a week off to visit my parents and make the drive back home to Colorado.  I tell anyone and everyone that he's doing it as much as I can so we can cheer him along when he needs it.   7.  Make sure you have a support group watching out for you as well.  I have no issue being alone; I'm a fairly independent person.  Sometimes too much.  We let my neighbors know Ken's going.   Bless his heart, Cliff, my neighbor, who does security has said to call anytime day or night even if I just hear a weird sound.  He'll take care of any major snow removal or any of the tasks around the house that I might need some help with.  So has Rich on the other side.  I know I'm not alone.   We're relatively new to Colorado so we don't have the great bunch of friends from the neighborhood that we had in Wisconsin so it will be a bit lonely for me but I'll find ways to keep occupied.  I've got my lovely Australian Shepard Moxie to walk and talk to ask well as Lumpy the cat who is usually a bag of entertainment as well.   I might turn into the crazy lady you make eye contact in the store and know that if you approach me I'm going to start talking to you so you avert your eyes and scamper down another aisle to avoid me :)  I have my daughter and son in law and of course when I travel my work friends who are always there for me too.  8.  Be sure to talk to each other about your fears, concerns, and all the good moments along the way.  It's his dream and I'm 110% in his corner but it scares me as well.  There are going to be new things for me too so it makes the adventure something that we'll both grow as people by the end.  He knows what scares me and I know what scares him.  If he can do this; whatever I'm facing is fairly insignificant even if it feels overwhelming to me.9.  Put your financial house in order.  I've always taken care of the bills so that was a no brainer for us but if you haven't, go back to #1 and make lists -what needs to be paid and when.  Don't forget little things like insurance, property taxes, income taxes, regular monthly bills, car payments, mortgages etc.   He has a life insurance policy - I know where it is and we know the premium is up to date.  Neither of us plan on a major catastrophe, but being prepared is never a bad idea - thru hiker or no thru hiker.  I know where the titles to the cars are and where all of our retirement information is so I can manage that in his absence.  If you aren't comfortable with these tasks, find someone you know and trust who can help.   10.  Last but not least, tell your hiker you love them, believe in them and you're there with them every step of the way in anyway that you need you to be.   You'll hear from us soon as the real journey begins!   It's a long journey - take small steps but dream big!!!Happy trails - Love Peaches