In order to thru-hike I am leaving Cooper, Colin, and my mom at home but the hardest to leave was Cooper. When Colin and I FaceTimed after I landed and she came up to the screen, I spoke to her and she was confused. She kept tilting her head and trying to get to me through the screen. It was heartbreaking.
My friend Karen told me pups don’t hold grudges and my friend mountain cat who had to leave her dog to hike the AT reassured me and said everything will get easier. I believe them I just don’t know when. When I woke up this morning and no one was licking my face it was a painful reminder of her absence.
The good news is, I have the two most supportive people to love and care for her while I’m gone - Colin and my mom. I would NOT be able to do this hike without them.
They have done so much to support me already. My mom made all of the dehydrated food for our resupply boxes and Colin is going to mail them. They have both made huge sacrifices of themselves to support this dream of mine, especially Colin who just got home from a nine month deployment and now I’m leaving for four. We didn’t get enough time together. I told him I didn’t want to leave him but he said, “you have to. It’s what you were made to do.”
Thru-hikes are often hardest on the people who have to stay home and take on more responsibility. Y’all are the real MVPs of the trail and you don’t get enough credit. Thank you to ALL the people who support me and my crazy dreams and to everyone who supports the thru-hiking community in general. We are nuts but you love us anyway and I am eternally grateful for you making these hikes possible.
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