Beauty and Sadness

Beauty and Sadness
            Nature — a never ending source of wonder and awe. Most of us turn to nature for beauty, calm, and inspiration. But nature also reminds us of harsh realities.
            We make the most of our daily outing under shelter-in-place rules, taking our autistic son for a long walk without fail. Work deadlines had me thinking to stay home one day, until I remembered hearing that a whale had washed ashore nearby.
            “We have to go to Baker Beach!” I said, my enthusiasm boosted by the rare opportunity to observe a whale up close. Though family and friends laugh at my morbid curiosity, apparently I am not alone. Others had come to see the whale as well.
            While the young humpback whale’s death brought sadness, it also brought a sense of wonder. Researchers had taken necropsy samples to understand what caused the whale’s demise. The remaining form was a sculptural addition to the Golden Gate Bridge view. The whale was gone the next day.
            Nature brings both beauty and sadness, sometimes intertwined. Life is a long lesson in how to embrace both light and dark, while we have the opportunity.
            This week’s Hike Notes are from the archives, Lobos Creek to Baker Beach.
            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 25): Lobos Creek to Baker Beach