I invited four intrepid adventurers, Joe, Deanna, Rob and Tinashe, to set off with me to the Adirondack High Peaks on what I dubbed, The American Dream Hike. The roots of their journeys are dramatically different. They or their parents, grandparents or great grandparents departed from four different continents (Europe, Asia, South America and Africa). Their common destination was as much an ideal as a place, The American Dream. More than four decades in age separated the youngest from the oldest on this adventure. Some of them met for the first time as they donned their hiking packs at the trailhead before setting off into the Adirondack High Peaks. Despite their disparate backgrounds, they share a common bond.

Joe’s ancestors arrived in America first. His great-great grandfather on his mother’s side of the family, traveled from Germany to the shores of the United States in 1882. He and a partner founded the New York Piano-forte Key Company, manufacturing keyboards and upright pianos. At its peak the company employed fifty workers. Joe’s great grandfather on his father’s side left Ireland for America about 1900. He worked in an automobile factory to save enough money to bring his wife, Mary, from County Cork to join him. 

“As a third generation (father’s side) & fourth generation (mother’s side) American, and being of European descent, my perspective of the American Dream is different than those who have arrived more recently.  For those less fortunate than me, it may be an escape from persecution, oppression, poverty or fear, with the hope of safety and a chance to grow and flourish. The American dream is different for every person, and everyone’s vision of success is unique based on their goals and dreams.”  

Joe has ascended more than three hundred mountains, but this hike was like no other. “The American Dream Hike brought me together with people of different nationalities and cultures.  I’m very grateful to have shared the trails and learned more about others who came to the United States more recently and to hear their stories.”

Deanna is a first generation American. Her parents came to the United States from Peru in 1985. As is the case with so many immigrants, they struggled, but were determined to create a better life for themselves and their son and daughter. It wasn’t until she was in her twenties that Deanna fully understood the depth of the sacrifices that her parents made and how those sacrifices contributed to the prospects of a brighter future for her and her brother. 

“My parents had an opportunity to come to this country in their mid-twenties. They started from scratch, doing whatever they had to do to take care of my brother and me. My mom and dad wanted to go to college to fulfill their own goals and dreams, but their limited knowledge of English and financial hardships made that impossible.”

Being a first generation American, Deanna wanted to pursue her dream, and in a way, fulfill her parent’s dreams as well by going to college. She owed it to her parents and herself to build on the foundation they created for her. She was grateful for the priceless gift of unlimited opportunity made possible by the courage of her parents and their decision to come to the ultimate land of opportunity. 

“I will always cherish my mom and dad. They instilled in me a strong work ethic and a chance to fulfill my aspirations. Some day when I have children, I’ll share my parent’s story with them. I want them to know the modest roots of our family and that they too can be anything they want to be.”  

Deanna is the first member of her family to graduate from college and is now a gifted interior designer.

Rob was born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted by his parents when he was very young.  He has a sister who was also adopted from South Korea. “I have to give a lot of credit to my parents for the way they raised my sister and I. They worked hard and provided us with a stable, middle class life. We were raised with a strong work ethic and to have empathy and respect for all people.”