I fell in love with hiking about two years ago, after completing the Alum Cave Bluff trail head on Mount LeConte in Tennessee. The views from the mountain were spectacular. I had never seen anything so beautiful. Then, I continued to go on hikes with my mom, trying different trails throughout the Smoky Mountains. After awhile, I started hearing about the Appalachian Trail and it sounded amazing to me.
I thought to myself, "What better way to start manhood than with a great journey. If I am able to accomplish this, then there is nothing I can't do."
I am graduating this year from Alcoa High School in Tennessee. Now that this part of my life is over, I'm ready to start a new adventure. Most people ask, "Josh, what college are you going to," and I always respond with, "I'm not sure. However, I will be hiking the Appalachian Trail after graduation." Some people don't understand this. "Are you scared? How will you live? Who are you going with? What does your mother think?" These are just some of the questions that I hear on a daily basis. The key is not to worry about it and keep an open mind.
As my family and I began to do more research on the A.T., we started to find some cases of people hiking for charities. My mom and grandfather were very fond of this idea. "It is amazing that you will be hiking the trail, but why not do something to help others while on your journey?" They were right. Why not help? So, I began to work to work on finding a charity that I believed in. I wanted to find one for kids who can't function on their own. The reason being because they would not be able to make a journey like this.
The day after Christmas my uncle, Dennis Hopf, took our family to an amazing place that he had recently been involved with. It was the Dream House. I had never heard of this organization, nor had any idea my uncle was on the board of directors. As he walked us around the outside of the property and explained the purpose of the house, all of a sudden I was overcome by a strange feeling. I couldn't explain it, maybe it was the Christmas Spirit, maybe it was the crisp air, or maybe it was just something I ate. All I knew was I wanted to help. So that night around the dinner table, I made an announcement.
"I want to hike for the children of the Dream House."
Life will never be easy, obstacles will always be thrown at us;
but as a people we will overcome.
When one is need, don't hesitate to help
If the world we are one family.
Pay it forward.
