For those who are left behind, Moms, Dads, Wives, Husband, family, friends… How do you shake the “worry wart” syndrome? The hike has not yet begun, yet I find myself worrying over unrealistic issues. ( yes, I read The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King )
Yeehawma
Relax, and get involved. Send mail, food, pictures and most of all be motivating over the phone. I had a great girlfriend who started off upset everytime we talked on the phone, I hated to call and talk to her, after a while she stopped that and did all of the above things that made my hike wonderful. Plus the first night back home was great.
casey
Absence does make the heart grown fonder, providing of course such absence is within reason.
I concur what Casey said, whatever you do, when you talk to your loved one whoever they may be, be as absolutely positive as you can----that way they will enjoy calling you and sharing all the wonderful or not so wonderful trail happenings with you.
Remember the trail will kick your butt big time, and it is probably going to do this to your loved one until they get their trail legs. People are just not used to walking 10 or more miles a day with a 20 plus pound pack on their back. Heck most people hardly walk a mile a day carrying nothing, so a 5 to 10 mile day with a 20 pound pack will kick tail until the body physically adjusts to it. So realize that it may be a lot of pain and agony, so be as absolutely positive as you can be----to help your loved one succeed at what he or she is doing. Or do you want someone defeated and dejected coming home to you?
See you out there. :cheers
Maintain
It was suggested too that the Hiker return the favor and be positive, loving, and concerned, and to wait a few minutes to discuss things that the hiker needs and things to not send any more. The people at home have a tough job, with their only reward is a scant phone call and demands to do more for pictures.
advice I have gleaned is, for the hiker, to call just because. The home front wants to hear from me. The homefront will ask if there is anything else they can do, then I will add or subtract things i want or don’t want.
I will sent flowers, cards, and surprises, to make her know I thought of her today. Then when I do really need something such as a changed maildrop to Bland instead of some other unknown place to me, she will respond with, I wrote it down.
burn
Of course, I called my wife of 30+ years EVERY time I got to a phone, even if it was a zero and I’d just talked to her the day before.
Since she still had a full time job, I hired someone to mow and fertilize the lawn while I was gone for nearly 6 months.
She also had our new dog which required all of her “free time” attention at home (part of the plan).
The only thing I used to joke about…everytime I talked to her on the phone she always seemed so happy and upbeat…I always asked how could she be that happy without me there???
One thing I did was to end every call with a “Love You!”
Skeemer
I think everyone hiking on AT for the first time, faces those concers from the people back home.In March of 2000 when we arrived at Neels Gap,I made my first phone call to my wife.I told her all about what I had seen,and about the great people I had met on and off the trail.Also that I had surprised myself by being capable of doing things I had never attempted before.She listened,and heard the emotions and excitement in my voice when we talked.After we talked she contacted all our friends, and told everyone how positive I was.After that call ,I received letters and cards of support when I arrived at Hot Springs.:boy
Bill Harris