Don't feel like you have to provide everything for the players. If they don't want to follow the AP then ask them to come up with side-quests/hooks so they can share in the burden of creating the game. This doesn't mean they should know details, but you as the GM should not feel like all the work is your responsibility.
In other words, discourage passive participation and encourage proactive players. "You don't care about the box? Okay, there's a bounty board in town. What strikes your fancy?" They can come up with ideas, you can flesh them out with details.
