It's the beginning of February. February of the year that Andy is supposed to hike the Appalachian Trail. A few years ago he talked about hiking the trail in two years. For a long time, hiking the trail was two years away. All of a sudden, he's actually practicing packing his backpack. Tonight he bought plastic forks and a tiny knife for the trail. Whew. God knows there might not have been another opportunity to purchase those!
He leaves in about eight weeks. That's pretty imminent. A couple of months ago I was nervous about how I'd function in a long distance relationship. Or whatever you call it when your partner goes away for an extended period. Now I'm getting pretty excited for Andy. I'm learning the particulars of the trail route. Learning the names of towns and mountains. Thinking about the book I'll write: "Adventures of an AT Widow."
"Adventures of an AT Widow" is the true story of a courageous young woman who is forced to endure months of loneliness, isolation and excessive self-spoiling when her partner in crime takes off for a hike from Georgia to Maine. The young woman, who we'll call Betty, is at a loss. Having spent the last many years of her life devoted solely to pleasing her partner and ensuring his daily happiness, Betty is now faced with a surplus of time and nobody to fawn over. Moreover, because Betty's only source of joy has been providing her partner with pleasure, she is now unsatisfied to boot. The only possible answer is for Betty to devote herself wholly to pleasing herself. With a renewed sense of purpose, Betty is not only fulfilled, but she's treated like a princess too. It's like a two for one.
"Adventures of an AT Widow" explores the intensity of a good manicure, the complexity of sitting in Starbucks for hours on end, the luxury of loitering in CVS without interruption, and the medicinal effects of Lifetime Television for Women. Much like a thru-hiker, Betty is determined to make it through to the end despite the inevitable changes in weather, altitude and attitude. "Adventures" follows Betty as she deals with every challenge imaginable. From the dishwasher that breaks two days after her partner's hike begins to celebrating the 4th of July without her soulmate, Betty establishes herself as a strong and spirited woman for whom no challenge is insurmountable.
"Adventures of an AT Widow" will inspire every woman to kick her loved one out of the house and onto a long, winding trail so she can spend a couple of months finding her true inner strength.
