Ups and Downs Together
            As a kid growing up in the Adirondack Foothills, I loved walking alone through fields of high green grass in summer, under red maples highlighted by golden light in autumn, and over pristine snow-covered paths in winter. (“Alone” means without fellow humans, but my faithful beagle Spike often joined me.)
            I also loved walking with my dad, brothers and friends. The camaraderie that comes with walking together—sometimes talking, sometimes not—is a priceless treasure.
            My younger son struggled to overcome sensory overload and other autism-related challenges to get out in the world, despite the lure of natural beauty here in Northern California. Walks by our family of four became akin to my walks alone as a kid, though our isolation was not a choice.
            Through my HikingAutism.com website, a local autism organization asked me to offer group hikes and introduce area trails to other families. Now my family enjoys the privilege of walking and talking together with many wonderful families in the autism and disabilities community.
            These hikes provide opportunities to share the ups and downs of our lives as we share the ascents and descents of the trails.
            Walking alone is a highlight of my life, but walking together with others expands our hearts and minds while also lifting our spirits. If you have the chance, invite someone to walk together!
            This week’s Hike Notes, Hidden Villa-Los Altos Hills, introduces readers to the lovely Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills, featuring picnic areas, gardens, pigs, goats, sheep and other farm animals, a creek under shady trees, and a wide variety of hiking trails to choose from.
            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, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
New this week:
Hike Notes 203: Hidden Villa-Los Altos Hills

Patience
            Three years ago I read that a historic garden area in Fort Mason was being recultivated. I get excited when I hear about new parks opening, upgrades to nature preserves, new hiking trails… anything new to explore at scenic visiting places.
            Camera in hand, I went to check out the Black Point Historic Gardens in Fort Mason shortly after hearing about it. The views over the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz were stunning, but the flowers were few and far between. The garden renovation was just starting, so I took photos but realized it would take time before the gardens were ready to feature as a Hike Notes post.
            Two years later, I brought the camera to the gardens again. There were many lovely flowers blooming, enough to use for a hike post, but the gardens still felt a bit like a work in progress.
            A year after that, we visited again. Every visit offered a different combination of colored petals highlighting the same classic San Francisco Bay scenery.
            The gardens felt like they were still under development the third year in, but seeing the ongoing changes is part of the joy of visiting.
            It takes patience for people to grow into their best selves as well. Blossoming and evolving as humans takes time. 
            Life is more joyful when we give ourselves and people we love time to fulfill our promise. Keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes, Black Point Historic Gardens-Fort Mason, leads readers on a hillside walk along historic flower gardens with a view of Alcatraz, Aquatic Park and the San Francisco Bay.
            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, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
New this week:
Hike Notes 187: Black Point Historic Gardens-Fort Mason

California Dreamin’
            My dad was an east coast aerospace electronics engineer who had many business trips to California when I was growing up. He spent a lot of time in San Francisco and what we now call Silicon Valley.
            He loved San Francisco, bringing home intriguing souvenirs for me and my brothers. He talked about Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf, and sailing in San Francisco Bay in his friend’s boat.
            When he wasn’t at his job or fixing the house or car, he played his piano or one of another dozen instruments. 
            Another creative endeavor was dabbling in oil and acrylic painting. His biggest piece was a six-foot wide landscape painting of San Francisco at night, with Coit Tower in the center. My brothers and I looked at that painting and imagined San Francisco as an iconic dreamland.
            I lived in San Francisco for a short time during my college years, and fell in love with the city. My husband had a similar experience as an exchange student from Japan. San Francisco is where we settled after getting married.
            Most major cities have suffered through rough stretches due to economic downturns, the pandemic, and other challenges. This gives all the more reason to continue highlighting the best of our beloved city. Despite the recent “doom loop” refrain, San Francisco is still alive and kicking. It is our joy and privilege to keep exploring it.
            Love where you live. If it needs some tender loving care, do what you can to make things better. Keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes, Ferry Building/Pier 7-San Francisco Stroll, describes a relatively short walk filled with amazing views of the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, the city skyline, and the East Bay and Marin County in the distance.
            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, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
New this week:
Hike Notes 202: Ferry Building/Pier 7-San Francisco Stroll

Favorite Things
            Every week, one photo stands out among many I took at some scenic place, inspiring my weekly Insights post. A theme to write about always comes to mind after I let the image sit in my head for a bit. But not this week.
            This week I chose a photo from a recent visit to the Fuchsia Dell in Golden Gate Park.
            For a day and a half, I sat with this image and all I could think of is, Fuchsia are one of my favorite flowers.
            Beyond that, I drew a blank.
            Turns out that the day I’m writing this post is the first anniversary of my beloved father’s death. Maybe my brain was blanking so I don’t dwell on that painful loss.
            Dad was a Renaissance man. He taught me and my brothers about music, science and technology, art, books, and movies. He could fix a car as well as electrical and plumbing problems. He taught us how to skate, ski, swim, paddle a canoe, ride a bike, chop wood, build a fire, and put a spin on a football. He instilled a love of the outdoors in us. His booming laugh was infectious. 
            I found a simple theme for this week: Favorite things.
            Fuchsia are one of my favorite flowers.
            My dad was one of my favorite people.
            I miss him terribly.
            Tell the special people in your life that you love them. Stop to enjoy your favorite flower. Each day is a gift to treasure.
            This week’s Hike Notes from the archives is Fuchsia Dell-Golden Gate Park. The Fuchsia Dell is a quiet area in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park featuring several varieties of fuchsia along tree-shaded paths.
 
This week’s Hike Notes from the Archives:
(Original Hike Notes 134): Fuchsia Dell-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 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. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. 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! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777