Happy trails to you, until we meet again
Happy trails to you, keep smilin’ until then
Who cares about the clouds when we’re together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather ….
Some trails are happy ones
Others are blue
It’s the way you ride the trail that counts
Here’s to a happy one for you
It seems to me that something nice always happens when I walk on the Vicksburg linear trail across from our Vicksburg Historic Village. When I am hiking with our dog Lucky I often hum, whistle or even sing a little because walking makes me feel happy and free when we are alone. One of my favorite songs for walking is “Happy Trails to You”, composed by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
As a matter of fact, I was humming a couple weeks ago when I also had chance encounters with some very dear souls as a bonus for the exercise. For once, I had the presence of mind to take their pictures with my phone. As I looked at these pictures, I began to realize a new reason to hit the trails here in Vicksburg: it is a rewarding way to find new and old friends and better stay connected with my former workmates, friends, and others who have enriched my life so much over the years. Not to mention the satisfaction of seeing families with kids who are also able to take advantage of these wonderful resources.
It’s always a pleasure to meet up with Dave Carvell who is a driver for the South County Community Services van for seniors and a peach of a guy to know.
I decided to look up the lyrics of “Happy Trails to You”, because, of course, I was improvising the words that I could not remember. It was crystal clear to me then why this song caught and has kept my fancy since the 1950s. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were particular heroes of mine in my elementary years. Each show concluded with a happy ending and a positive message. It was wholesome family entertainment that inspired kind and good behavior, as well as optimism about the future.
But having a song like this one can still help us focus on the positive things in life. That kind of focus still helps us deal with the realities and personal challenges we face. So, today I wish you all happy trails and many friends like these pictured here on the Vicksburg Trail.
