Date: 2015-05-03
To: Mrs. Rock Boat
Miles today: 0.0

Thru-hiking from the spouse's perspective. Here's an entry written by Mrs. Rock Boat.I can't believe Jason has been on the trail for over a month. Not that I didn't think he would last that long, but the 15 months leading up to his departure had me convinced that while he was gone, time would stand still and his absence would last forever. The last two months leading up to him leaving were bad, folks. I am generally a happy, bubbly, smiling person. During those months, I was a hot mess.   On multiple occasions, people ask me if I was okay due to being so dejected and sad. I pretty much cried daily and dreaded the ride to Georgia. It wasn't because I was afraid of living by myself or scared for his safety while gone. It was mostly just knowing that the man I laugh with, email with, act silly with and want to be with 24/7 was not going to be at home everyday when I woke up and when I got home from work. I have to honestly say, it hasn't been bad at all. I miss him all the time, but I have gotten to talk to him almost daily and I have been able to see him twice. I am hoping another visit will be soon. After he is out of Virginia, chances of us getting to see each other are very slim. The drive will just be more than I care to do alone. So, we cherish the minutes we have together and talk as much as we can. People ask when I will talk to him again and the answer is always the same. I don't know. I never know if that will be the last time I talk to him for 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours or perhaps longer. But, I have my cell within ear shot at all times and take the call regardless of where I am. I have even walked out of a meeting with Vice Presidents of my company due to a call from Jason. I really don't care what anyone thinks at that point. When he calls, I drop everything and answer and talk as long as he wants/is able to talk.   The last month has also been made easier due to my friends, family and neighbors. I have not had a week go by where multiple people haven't asked me to do something or invite me into their home for a meal.   I receive text frequently just to check on me. All of you that have contributed will never know how much each text, call, meal and outing means/meant to me. We are truly thankful to have each of you share this journey with us.The most asked question I got when we started telling people about Jason's quest to hike the AT was, "how could you allow him to do this?" My answer was simple. How could I not. We don't have kids and quitting his job wasn't going to put us in financial hardship. We had reached the goals we set forth and it was time for me to make good on my promise. Didn't make it easy, but it is his dream. I support him 200%. Why would I stop him from living his dream just because I wanted to not miss him for 6 months. For once, I wasn't selfish. In a way, I am jealous. Jealous that he actually has a life long dream, not to mention, trying to make it a reality. Other than traveling to many places and living in Deer Valley, UT, I don't have a dream like this. It is sad, actually. I need to dream. We all need to dream. I think this has been a reason that there has been such a curiosity and general interest in this adventure. People watch other people living a dream, perhaps their dream, and they are living vicariously through others as Jason has for years as he would follow trail journal after trail journal up to Katahdin. Many people have told Jason and I that hiking the AT was their dream, but they weren't able to pursue for one reason or another. That lets me know that agreeing to this was what I needed to do. He may have never gotten another opportunity. Life is about more than work and money. It has taken me a long time to learn that, but, through many heart breaking events of 2013, I did. Jason titles each journal entry with a song lyric. Here is mine. "The road is yours, so live your lives against the grain and outside the lines" Black Canyon by RWB