A Change of Scenery

A Change of Scenery
            A friend who took on too many extra work assignments for too many months realized as we were chatting that she needs a break. Not just a full weekend off, but maybe a little trip out of town to change up her environment and routine.
            I remember being able to do that years ago. As a single person living in Kyoto, Japan, I was able to use work breaks to travel around Asia. When first married and living in San Francisco with no kids, my husband and I had the freedom to visit family in Europe, England, Japan, or the east coast. We took several-day road trips to visit friends in far northern California and Oregon.
            When our two sons were very little, we hauled fold-up baby strollers onto airplanes to visit family. With each year, our younger son’s constellation of differences that added up to an autism diagnosis made it increasingly difficult to get out of the house, much less travel any distance by car or plane.
            For several years—between ages ten and fourteen, when hormones and other changes make life even more challenging for autistic youths than it is for typically developing kids—we were virtually trapped at home. My son’s inability to tolerate almost any sensory input or change of routine made getting away for an overnight stay anywhere seem like an impossible dream.
            With the support of a dedicated helper, as well as courage and persistence on the part of our son and the rest of the family, we managed to do a few overnight stays at scenic places within reasonable driving distance. It was never easy, but we were all better for having expanded our horizons.
            Sometimes we need to rev ourselves up and overcome obstacles, even if the obstacle is mostly inertia, to experience a change from our usual environment. If possible, try even just a day trip to freshen your perspective, and keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes from the archives, Pacific Valley Bluff Trail, shows a trail at Big Sur where we managed to take a family road trip. The trail starts with an inconspicuous gate opening onto a cow field, with waving wheat bordering a path leading up to bluffs overlooking a stunning stretch of the California coast.
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
            If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
This week’s hike from the archives:
Hike Notes 29: Pacific Valley Bluff Trail