I guess it's time for Ash's story too. I was an architecture major who got TIRED of architecture and couldn't get the AT out of my head. The AT has been a dream of mine since I was little, and after returning from a semester abroad in Italy I was itching for a new adventure. I picked my boss Rich's (a 2000 thru-hiker) brain for AT info and stories. (Thank you Rich!) I contacted Cole Bear under the impression that he had completed a thru-hike as well. (See third paragraph in Cole's previous post "My Story") And I read as much as I could about the AT.
September came around and I was back at RWU for my senior year. But I couldn't get the AT out of my head. And I couldn't get back into the swing of all nighters in studio followed by 6am swim practices. I was exhausted, constaintly behind (at least it felt that way) and I felt like crap. Plus, despite Liz's persistent elbowing, I could not stay awake in class if my life depended on it! I had already done this for three years. Did I really want to do this for three more... and then for the rest of my life? Was this really what I wanted to do?
I decided to graduate at the end of that year with a BA instead of continuing for the masters. I planed to begin my AT thru-hike in the early spring one year after I graduated. March 2011. That is almost here!
Cole Bear and I leave for Georgia in jsut over 3 weeks to complete what began as two separate thru-hike dreams and became a duo. I have no doubts that we will complete the 2000+ miles to Katahdin and I am very excited to be sharing this adventure with the guy I love. My dad will be driving us down to Springer Mtn on March 10. Thank you Dad! Can't wait!
Closing with a Skip Griffin pre-race (now pre-AT) quote from GHS swimming:
"Eye of the Tiger"
-Ash
I LOVE you and I can't wait to read about your adventures! I am a little nervous/sad/stressed about having you so far away again... I feel safe knowing that if I need you or if you need me we're only an hour's drive away, or a phone call. The fact that it will literally be impossible for us to come to eachother's rescue in times of need makes me squimish. Like Utah all over again... Though we've gone different ways in our lives since we left high school you are always the one person I need and love more than anyone else in the world. I know that while I've been trying to figure my shit out I've been distant and I might not always tell you that I love you, but I do. I know you don't need me all the time, but I'm scared that over the next few months i won't be able to be there if you do. Honestly tonight was the first time I let it sink in that you're really leaving. And I've been sitting on the couch crying and missing you since then. (Where's Gob when I need him?! Love him extra much before you go and give him kisses for me. Gob is 100% perfect and always loves everyone.) Anyways, i guess I should try and go to sleep. Work at the Gift Shop and Iparty tomorrow... I'll see you on Saturday. I LOVE YOU. Xo. I'm going to be an avid letter writer to you in the coming months. I AM looking forward to letters with you again. And I'm looking forward to you going on the journey you've dreamed of going on for so long. Remember when you get run down and exhausted and low in spirits that you have so many people cheering you (and Cole Bear) on who love you and believe in you. Don't forget to take deep breaths, smell the flowers, and look around you with open eyes. Take in the beauty and wonder of everything... and then log them in your brain to share with us all back at home. I hope that this adventure is everything you ever hoped it would be, and more. I'll be with you in my heart every step of the way. YOU GOT THIS! (I feel like I'm standing elbow to elbow by the blocks with you before a swim race.) I love you always my twin, my other half, and my best friend in the whole world! Love Chel.
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