The Hole Left Behind
            Years ago, a person who felt to me like a son, a brother, a best friend, and an autism research partner all wrapped into one disappeared. Suddenly.
            Our athletic young friend had an undetected heart problem that stole him from this earth.
            The wail of a person in profound grief is an uncontrollable reverberation that wells up, a deep sound searching for rhyme or reason to an unexpected loss.
            With no chance to say goodbye, no preparation for an absence, it can take days or weeks to believe the person is actually gone.
            “It’s like there’s a tangible hole where that person is supposed to be,” I sobbed to a dear friend familiar with devastating loss.
            “There is a hole there. And if we’re not careful, we can fall into that hole,” he said.
            Losing a family member or friend who lived a long life leaves us feeling sad and empty, but if they were dealing with pain and illness, we might also feel relief that the loved one’s suffering is over.
            With a car crash, a heart attack, a shooting, people disappear shockingly, triggering a more complicated type of grief. Yet people still somehow navigate the long evolving path of grieving.
            We walk through grief by picking one foot up after the other, moving forward as we try to remember to eat, to find a way to sleep in peace again, to face the world knowing we may start crying anywhere at any time. Allowing our tears to flow helps us mourn and honor our loved ones.
            Putting one foot forward amidst the comforts of nature helps us keep going even as we wonder if our hearts will ever heal. Keep walking.
            This week’s HikingAutism Hike Notes from the archives is Owl Trail, a trail hugging the Pacific coast that connects between the grand views from Muir Beach Overlook on high to the breathtaking sights at the tidal pools of Slide Ranch.
 
This week’s Hike Notes from the Archives:
(Original Hike Notes 89): Owl Trail
 
            Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes and photo galleries via the main Hikes page or the Hike Search by Area (was Quick View Hike List) page. Click World Walks to see or share favorite walks from readers! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. Please feel free to share, and follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism

On the Flip Side
            My son and I especially love hiking in Marin County, and there are many more trails I yearn to explore. When the pandemic hit, though, weekends became crowded with newly discovered nature lovers tired of being cooped up indoors. The thought of fighting for trailhead parking was discouraging.
            On the other hand, having more people tap into nature as a source of health and happiness is encouraging.
            Recently, I was revving myself up to drive to Mt. Tam with my family to do a special hike there, despite possible trailhead jams.
            Weather and other circumstances changed our plans. Instead of hiking in a redwood forest or along one of the watershed lakes on Mt. Tam, we ended up doing a city walk instead.
            On the one hand, not going to Mt. Tam felt disappointing. On the flip side, we explored a newly designed park with grand views of Alcatraz, San Francisco Bay, and the Ghirardelli tower and sign. We had a fun new experience and didn’t have to drive far.
            Looking at situations from both sides can turn negative situations into something positive. May we all try to see the bright side, whether we hit a minor bump or a major challenge. Keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes, Francisco Park-City Walk, introduces readers to a park redesigned from a historic reservoir from San Francisco’s Gold Rush days.
            Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area (was Quick View Hike List) page. 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.
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Please feel free to share, and follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism
New this week:
Hike Notes 159: Francisco Park-City Walk

When Plans Change
            As a kid, I’d be immobilized by frustration when something didn’t go according to the carefully crafted plan in my head. It was a powerful, overwhelming feeling that caused me to miss the enjoyment of whatever reality was before me.
            I suspect there’s a genetic element to that, because one of the hallmark traits of my younger son, severely challenged by autism, is that same inflexibility in the face of unforeseen change.
            Life has a way of knocking that out of a person. We learn to become flexible to survive. The inevitability of changes in the weather, a car or computer breaking down, or other people changing jointly-made plans makes adjusting to the unexpected a necessity. Though that can be extremely difficult for many on the autism spectrum, fortunately, my son has become much more able to adapt over the years, as have I.
            I’d planned to explore a new trail on Mt. Tam for Mother’s Day. Weather and timing issues changed the day’s hike plan to a steep ridge trail into Muir Woods. Yet more monkey wrenches fell into our plans, and we ended up exploring a new city park with great views instead.
            Learning to pivot with changing circumstances makes the difference between a whole day being ruined by frustration and finding enjoyment in whatever our day turns out to be.
            As a kid, walking outdoors was the one thing guaranteed to help me work my way out of a bad mood due to unanticipated change. I’m grateful that my son also enjoys the calming comfort of walking in nature.
            May we all find joy in the path that befalls us, even when it’s not the one we intended.
            This week’s HikingAutism Hike Notes from the archives is Fern Creek Trail-Muir Woods, one of the ridge trails that descends to the redwood trails of Muir Woods, a handy backup for those not able to make reservations to park at the Muir Woods lot.
 
This week’s Hike Notes from the Archives:
(Original Hike Notes 17): Fern Creek Trail-Muir Woods
 
            Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes and photo galleries via the main Hikes page or the Hike Search by Area (was Quick View Hike List) page. Click World Walks to see or share favorite walks from readers! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. Please feel free to share, and follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism

Hidden Magic
            Sometimes when we’re consciously searching for something—whether in our emotional space or in a supermarket—we come up empty handed.
            At other times, something unexpected and magical jumps up and bites us on the nose: feeling love at first sight across a crowded space, finding a home that feels just right, hiking around a curve and having our breath taken away by the perfect composition of sky, hills and horizon.
            Little bits of enchantment make the difference between just another day and a joyful day of meaning. A forgotten card from a beloved aunt, the smile of a shy child, a flower growing through a sidewalk crack.
            I recently spotted yet another wooden fairy door built into the base of a tree on a back trail along a lake in Golden Gate Park. Near the little door there was also a tiny picnic bench marked, “Parks & Rec, Squirrels & Fairies Picnic Area.” I did not see squirrels or fairies chatting over a snack at the miniature table, but maybe I’ll catch them next time.
            The appearance of a single charming surprise can bring smiles for a whole day. May we all keep eyes and hearts open enough to sense the treasures around us.
            This week’s Hike Notes, Elk Glen Lake-Golden Gate Park, leads walkers around one of three small lakes on the southern edge of Golden Gate Park.
            Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area (was Quick View Hike List) page. 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.
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Please feel free to share, and follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism
New this week:
Hike Notes 158: Elk Glen Lake-Golden Gate Park

Blowing In the Wind
            Zipping my jacket to the top, wrapping my scarf tighter, and shoving my hands into warm pockets, I ready myself for the blustery winds that have taken over our neighborhood the last few days. A whoosh of air against my face transports me to my childhood excitement of knowing a storm was coming when leaves fluttered in a particular way, even if the sun was still shining.
            My son on the autism spectrum used to be overwhelmed by every imaginable sensory input, even the sound and feeling of a strong breeze, so we choose trails with wind protection when necessary. We might start a hike under calm skies in an open space only to have the wind whip up midway. On one hike that changed from calm to relentlessly gusty, I felt the exhilaration of my son who ran ahead while pummeled by powerful wind, as if he was somehow part of it, or could run ahead of it back to the trailhead.
            My son running in the wind was great progress from the days when sensory overload would have frozen him in place. Going with the flow of the winds blowing at the moment taught him something about his own abilities. 
            May we all have the courage to let the winds take us somewhere new. Keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s HikingAutism Hike Notes from the archives is Eldridge Grade-Windy Ridge, a hike that starts with shady narrow forest trails, and finishes with stunning mountain views along Windy Ridge.
 
This week’s Hike Notes from the Archives:
(Original Hike Notes 116): Eldridge Grade-Windy Ridge
 
            Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes and photo galleries via the main Hikes page or the Hike Search by Area (was Quick View Hike List) page. Click World Walks to see or share favorite walks from readers! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. Please feel free to share, and follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism