Celebrating a Milestone!

Celebrating a Milestone!
            This week marks Hike Notes number 200! I started HikingAutism.com in March 2018. Creating new posts each week has been a stabilizing force for me through the pandemic, family health crises, world news ups and downs, and family losses.
            I would create HikingAutism.com for my own sanity even if no one else ever read a post. I am grateful to say, however, that many readers over the years have told me they felt inspired by an Insights post to get outdoors more or do something else to help themselves or others, that they tried one of the listed Hikes, or even shared a favorite hike for World Walks.
            People dealing with major challenges—such as our family trying to help our severely autistic son live his best life—often feel isolated from the “normal” world. For our family, every activity involves extra difficulties. Going out in public can feel daunting.
            I started HikingAutism.com because I didn’t want others facing a difficult life situation to feel alone. Someone in the world has experienced something similar. Knowing and sharing that gives us strength to keep going.
            HikingAutism.com also allows me to share the joy of spending time in nature, which has been incredibly helpful for our whole family. I offer the photos and hike descriptions in hopes they’ll lift someone’s heart. For those without the mobility to get out on a trail, looking at nature photos can still make the world brighter.
            For this special milestone Hike Notes celebration, I am allowing myself to be self-indulgent.
            Typically, for each set of Hike Notes, I sort through around 200 photos. It is a tough process cutting down to 11: One photo for the title image, one for the accompanying Insights post, and nine for the gallery of photos that appears at the bottom of each Hike Notes page. I always want to share more images, but I’ve stuck to this system for consistency. Sometimes less is more.
            However, in celebration of Hike Notes No. 200, I am including 30 photos in the gallery. Watch for glorious sunsets, seascapes, the silhouette of the Farallone Islands, a variety of animal life, and the rare shot where I slip into the gallery.
            It is a privilege for me to share images and thoughts inspired by looking at beautiful places through a camera lens. Thank you to all the HikingAutism.com readers. I will continue sharing Insights and Hikes as we keep putting one foot forward together!
            The subject of this week’s Hike Notes, Steep Ravine Cabins and Camp Area, is often mentioned as the crown jewel of camping spots in Marin County. Every nature spot has merit, but the Steep Ravine camp area offers many of the best aspects of the Marin 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, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
New this week:
Hike Notes 200: Steep Ravine Cabins and Camp Area