Paralee's Hiking Pages-Inspiration

"What you get by reaching your destinations is not nearly as important as what you will become by reaching your destination." - Zig Ziglar

Some of my most amazing thoughts come while hiking along the Appalachian Trail, all alone with your thoughts. No matter where we live, summer is a special season. It's a time of richness, warmth, freedom, ease, and pleasure - a time when all of our senses are fully engaged. It is the best time of the year for a hike on one of our many trails here in the south. We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful place.

On one of my long-distance hikes, hiking for days on end, I came up with this little ditty. Now I don't claim to be a poet but this little jingle describes my life on the Appalachian Trail. Enjoy!

My Journey

I'm just a lonely hiker my name is TrapperLee.

I hike the hills and valleys, my soul forever free.

I'm only one of many, on that northern hike to Maine,

Hiking many miles each day, ignoring all the pain.

It's Springer to Katahdin, that's Georgia to Maine,

With my sister and my backpack, and occasionally with pain.

It seems we're always climbing that long and rocky Trail,

To the summits and the grasslands, their beauty we must hail.

Now the downward Trail is starting, to the gaps so far below

And the waterfalls go tumbling where the rivers gently flow.

The singing of the birds and rising of the sun

Is the only clock I need out here, my day has just begun.

It's coffee, grits or oatmeal, to fuel our long hard day,

Then snickers, gorp, and raisins, more fuel throughout the day.

Not every day is perfect, some are really bad.

The aching knees and blistered feet, and bugs that drive you mad.

Now as the day is ending the good outweighs the bad,

New friendships I am making at each shelter that I stay.

So when I climb Katahdin, this journey will be done,

But at each day's beginning a new one has begun

Mom, I know you're watching, from the heavens up above

so this journey that I' taking is for you with all my love.

Excerpt from the book Still Living a Dream, page 90

by Paralee Dawson Hayward

Don’t dream your life, live your dreams!

Appalachian Trail Hiker Girl

Paralee Dawson Hayward

Appalachian Trail Hiking Books