Old Comforts

Old Comforts
            Finding comforting people, places and things is important any time, but especially during challenging times like the pandemic the world is suffering through.
            Pine forests. Gentle rolling mountains. Deep blue lakes. Raptors soaring overhead. Leaves rustling in a light breeze. These are comforting thoughts from my childhood, camping at lakes in the Adirondacks.
            Thousands of miles away and decades since I had easy access to those places, I still find comfort from those mental images.
            As years pass, the people and places we spend time around may change dramatically. We cultivate new comfort zones.
            Years of living in San Francisco means that broad beaches, rough surf, and areas that combine ocean views, mountain views and cityscapes have become comfort elements.
            I still dream of my old favorites, small lakes in the hills, surrounded by forests. Time spent hiking around the five lakes of the Marin Watershed have made them “new old favorites.” They feel like my Adirondack childhood, but are part of my current life in California.
            May everyone find places and things in their current life that bring back old comforts from the past.
            This week’s Hike Notes, Kent Lake from Shafter Bridge, take readers to one of the lovely lakes of the Marin Watershed that remind me of the Adirondacks where I grew up.
            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.
New this week:
Hike Notes 112: Kent Lake from Shafter Bridge