In 25 days, I celebrate the beginning of my fourth decade on this planet & all that God has in store for me.

For each day heading towards my birthday, I thought I would write a wish or desire for my forties. I have thoroughly enjoyed my thirties and I know God has even more adventures around the corner.

Hiking is a bit like life: The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other… again and again and again. And if you allow yourself the opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek, you will witness beauty every step of the way, not just at the summit.

– Anonymous

To hike more, to find parks and trails around the South (and hopefully the country) and to be present in nature as often as possible is another one of my 25 wishes.

I started well this summer with my travels to Blue Ridge, Georgia and Sevierville, Tennessee (me at the top of Clingman’s Dome pictured above) and I look forward to cooler weather to get back out on the local trails!

I enjoy the journey and the hard work achieved when I reach the top, or the end. I also find beauty in the meditative quality of each step creating a rhythm and a less hurried pace. The hiking community is also wonderfully friendly and encouraging!

Here’s to many more hiking adventures!