From Under the Mist
            We can spend long stretches of time, even years, without noticing something right under our noses.
            Our autistic son’s sensory system allows him to be astoundingly in tune to tiny details of the world around him. His nose and taste buds can distinguish between different lots of the same brand of cracker, his eyes recognize the tiniest incremental difference in imagery between DVD labels for the same movie, and his aural system becomes agitated by a fluorescent light humming at the other end of the house, a sound that doesn’t even register with our ears. Yet he may be oblivious to things that seem obvious to the rest of us, whether it’s not realizing he has spaghetti sauce on his face or suddenly seeming to be deaf when asked to put an iPad away.
            I like to think I’m fairly in tune to the world around me, but all of us have blind spots of some sort or another.
            I love maps, especially local maps that help me find new places to hike and take photos. After years of hiking the area, surely by now we had walked every available bit of beach from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay.
            One day, not up for a longer drive, I scoured a map of our familiar turf near home. I spotted a green patch on the coast that I’d never noticed before. What was this place just south of San Francisco, appearing as if by magic on my map? We headed out to see it, me with camera in hand. The misty, overcast day convinced me I’d have to come back another day for better photos.
            Just off an unassuming suburban street, past a plain metal fence, an asphalt road led us to the upper edge of a deep canyon, appearing through waves of mist. This week’s Hike Notes, Avalon Canyon, introduce a stunning canyon walk that has been hidden in plain sight to us for years. Turns out that misty gray skies make Avalon Canyon all the more photogenic, revealing a subtly textured color palette on the canyon walls which highlight the dramatic descent down to the shore.
            The long list of Hikes can be found on the Quick View Hike List and on the main Hikes page. All past Insights posts can also be viewed in the Insights/Hike Update News archives.
            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! Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Please feel free to share.
New this week:
Hike Notes 118: Avalon Canyon

Changing Colors
            Born and raised in the foothills of the Adirondacks in New York State, childhood autumns meant glorious yellow, orange and red leaves. Photos of fall foliage make me homesick.
            Not that Northern California has no autumn colors, but it’s more subtle. My thirst for autumn color has to be satisfied by quieter yellows and browns with an occasional dash of orange or red.
            Windblown piles of brown and yellow leaves bring a wave of that magic autumn feeling. Though the leaves don’t change so distinctly here in San Francisco with its more temperate climate, autumn light falling at a slant helps trigger that fall feeling.
            We can embrace the bittersweet heart-tugging of seasons changing, even when the signs are less colorful.
            This week’s Hike Notes are from the archives, Dragonfly Creek to Fort Scott - Presidio, a walk featuring lots of rustic stone walkways and stair corners to catch fallen leaves that stir the heart any time of year.
            The long list of Hikes can be found on the Quick View Hike List and on the main Hikes page. All past Insights posts can also be viewed in the Insights/Hike Update News archives.
            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! Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Please feel free to share.
This week’s Hike Notes from the Archives:
(Original Hike Notes 107): Dragonfly Creek to Fort Scott - Presidio

Quiet Treasures
            The specialness of a person, place or thing sometimes sneaks up quietly. Rich treasures do not all blast with a loud speaker and flashing sparklers.
            - A quiet person who doesn’t jump to the front of the crowd, but emerges from the background over time with a sharp intellect, generosity of heart, or quirky sense of humor.
            - A well chosen gift that exudes meaning and thought rather than monetary value.
            - A hiking trail that isn’t a “big name” trail with crowded trailheads, but reveals treasures at every turn: wild irises in various colors, sharp turns along steep ravine edges, wooden footbridges, waterfalls, and patches of redwoods.
            Just such a trail is introduced in this week’s Hike Notes, Tucker Trail. Tucker Trail and Tucker Cutoff Trail in the Marin Watershed are filled with special pleasures of their own, while also connecting to the wonderful Bill Williams Trail and Eldridge Grade (see Bill Williams – Tucker Trail Waterfall Hike and Eldridge Grade – Windy Ridge Hike Notes.) These lesser traveled trails offer some of the best treats the Marin Watershed has to offer.
            The long list of Hikes can be found on the Quick View Hike List and on the main Hikes page. All past Insights posts can also be viewed in the Insights/Hike Update News archives.
            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! Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Please feel free to share.
New this week:
Hike Notes 117: Tucker Trail

Flag at Half Staff
            Under normal circumstances, this would be an Insights post that introduces new Hike Notes. Circumstances do not feel normal.
            I lived in Japan for several years, and came to respect and understand their custom of not sending out annual holiday cards in a year when a family member died. This week I am paying respects rather than putting out a new hike post.
            A few days ago, an autism support news feed announced that a Bay Area autism mom, known for her fierce advocacy for her severely autistic son and others, had died in a house fire that took both her and her autistic son’s lives. Though I did not personally know Feda Almaliti and her severely autistic son Muhammed, I feel like they were extended family by life circumstance.
            Two family members were able to get out of the burning house. Feda also got out. Realizing her son was still inside, she went back in to get him. Sensory system likely overwhelmed by the heat and smoke and sounds, he could not leave. Feda and Muhammed passed away together, found later with her embracing him.
            Families touched by autism have benefited from Feda Almaliti’s fight to have autism services covered by insurance, as well as from her advocacy on many other fronts.
            As the mom of a severely autistic son likely to have the same reaction as Feda’s beloved son, reading their story was like a kick in the gut. I hadn’t imagined a fire scenario, but I have pictured myself countless times taking a bullet for my son in the not-unlikely scenario that he may have a meltdown in public, with authorities mistaking his behavior for something dangerous. I repeatedly imagine myself jumping in front to protect him when he is not able to follow orders to stand still or be quiet.
            Those of us in the severe autism world already live an isolated, difficult life. To lose such a powerful light is a huge loss. Our flags fly at half staff in honor of fellow troop members Feda and Muhammed.
            I found the following link which tells more about Feda’s life and work.
            https://www.ncsautism.org/blog//on-the-passing-of-feda-almaliti-1977-2020
            This week I hope we will all reach out to those we love. Tell them that we love them. When we feel irritated, perhaps we won’t be so quick to snap. Remember that we can lose our loved ones in an instant.
            Instead of regular Hike Notes this week, I’ll suggest looking at the Quick View Hike List (noted by general area). Perhaps those who know of their story will take a walk somewhere and think of Feda and her son.
            The long list of Hikes can be found on the Quick View Hike List and on the main Hikes page. All past Insights posts can also be viewed in the Insights/Hike Update News archives.
            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! Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Please feel free to share.