Lengthening Shadows

Lengthening Shadows
            My favorite seasons in sequence: Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer. As a kid growing up surrounded by fields and creeks in the Adirondack foothills, autumn was irresistibly seductive.
            By mid August, late afternoon walks along country roads meant grasshoppers hopping en masse, their dry, light bodies sometimes striking me on the cheek.
            September mornings waiting for the school bus meant footprints left on frost-covered grass.
            What range of yellows, oranges and reds would appear? Years with less dramatic temperature changes deprived us of the brightest reds, but the unfailing kaleidoscope of yellow, orange and brown leaves was magical enough.
            Northern California doesn’t have the wide-scale dramatic fall foliage I grew up with back east. But still. I think of my feet hitting a rosy brown leaf-covered trail, autumn light filtering through the dense trees of Mt. Tam. My heart catches in my throat.
            Though he can’t say it in words, I know my autistic son absorbs the subtle differences in light and color when we hike in the fall.
            Fortunately, enjoying nature doesn’t always require a long drive. This week’s Glen Canyon Park from Above Hike Notes introduce one of many stunning parks within San Francisco proper. Glen Canyon Park offers a variety of visual treats, whether walking along lower level trails or descending into the park from above.
            Please feel free to share. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photos!
            The list of hikes is getting long! Please check the Quick View Hike List or scroll down the main Hikes page to see the current list of hike notes.
New this week:
Hike Notes 30: Glen Canyon Park from Above