Finding Our Feet

Finding Our Feet
            The counterpart to this story is featured in previous Insights post, “The Trail Less Traveled,” in which autistic son Sean and I found ourselves climbing Mt. Tam on an unmarked trail rather than the section of the Bootjack Trail we were aiming for.
            Despite bushwhacking much of the first half of our hike, we enjoyed the adventure and were pleased to know that our directional instincts got us to the Mountain Theater which was our turnaround destination.
            After huffing and puffing straight up a steep path through grassy fields (which gave a tick an opportunity to hitchhike home with me), we had fun zigzagging our way back down the mountain along the trail we’d originally wanted to try.
            The Bootjack Trail is a well-worn path. Its wooden fences have fallen in some places, which somehow adds to the trail’s aesthetic charm. Sean loves going downhill, and found his footing sufficiently to run across wooden benches we found on the way. Despite challenges with verbal communication, Sean senses the mood of those around him, and could detect my confidence in being on a sure trail back to our starting point.
            Finding our footing for the day meant that compared to our steep climb up an unnamed trail, the zigzag trail going down was easy and fun.
            May all our adventures in life have some easy stretches along the way. Keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes, Bootjack Trail-Mountain Theater to Bootjack Campground, leads readers on the zigzag switchback section of the Bootjack Trail from the Mountain theater to the Bootjack Campground parking area. (Counterpart Hike Notes to this: Mountain Theater from Bootjack Campground.)
            Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area (was Quick View Hike List) page. 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.
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New this week:
Hike Notes 165: Bootjack Trail-Mountain Theater to Bootjack Campground