Early Bloomers

Early Bloomers
            “Look, the dahlias are blooming!” my husband said, pointing to the Dahlia Garden in the distance from where we were taking our easy Sunday stroll in Golden Gate Park. 
            “Aren’t they known for blooming in August?” I thought to myself out loud.
            Sure enough, posters along the Dahlia Garden fence announced the Dahlia Society’s annual show in mid-August, this year celebrating their 100-year anniversary, by chance.
            And sure enough, though barely into July, there were already many fascinating dahlia varieties to look at. I am always astounded by the variety of shapes and colors that share the name dahlia.
            I found the usual suspects that remind me of sea anemones, but on this visit I also saw a white variety of dahlia that reminded me of the feathered bubble hats that were fashionable in the 1960s. An image of Elizabeth Taylor wearing one floated into my mind. It was an odd thought that I mumbled to myself, only to have the woman next to me say she was thinking the same thing.
            Are there flowers that you look at as being almost more intriguing than beautiful? Dahlias are both. Enjoy whatever blossoms you stumble upon, and keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes from the archives, Dahlia Garden - Golden Gate Park, brings readers to one of the many special areas of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park featuring stunning flower displays.
            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, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
This week’s hike from the archives:
Hike Notes 208: Dahlia Garden - Golden Gate Park