Hmm I can relate to this topic. I am looking at retireing in six years at age 54. My wife and I have been married for thirty years this Sept! I took backpacking back up after my Pops death 3 years ago! He and I backpacked together. I want to tru hike the at as well. My wife would like to but knows she cant and it isnt for her, She knows Iwant to when I retire.
For now I am starting a section hike. My oldest son and I are doing Georgia section of the trail this spring. I think being away from my wife is the hardest part of a trip for myself. I have spent allot of weekends fishing up North etc over the years. I am not sure when the time comes I will be able to hit the trail for that long a time. I am sure she will rondevue as much as possible. Will that just make more difficult to finish? Time will tell. Better to try and fail, than to never try at all!
If it comes down to trail or wife? Goodbye trail!