Rippled Reflections

Rippled Reflections
            Reflections are entrancing, in mirrors, glass, or on liquid surfaces. A glassy lake surface is magical, whether on a mirror-smooth day, or when wind and currents create ripples that distort the reflected image.
            A little lake in the park near my house often has perfect reflections of the trees and sky above it, sometimes visually echoing the pink of cherry blossoms, others the bright yellow-green of spring growth on a native tree.
            On a recent visit, we noticed that some old paths to the lake were blocked, guiding visitors to stay on a main path to stop eroding the hilly route we liked taking. Our familiar place had changed, but once in front of the water from the other entrance, it was still the little lake we love. 
            A couple of years ago, a huge, iconic tree that was a hallmark of this lake’s scenery had fallen from a storm, now lying horizontally in the lake itself. No one could keep the storm from toppling the tree, and we had no choice but to adjust to the new look of the lake. 
            Our recent visit featured a lovely, rippled reflection of a tree highlighted with bright yellow leaf tips standing at the lake’s edge. The tree image changed as the wind caused more ripples, creating an Impressionist painting effect.
            One of life’s most helpful skills is learning to accept if not embrace the inevitable changes time brings. Learn to go with the flow, and keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes from the archives, Metson Lake – Golden Gate Park, takes readers to one of several charming, tiny lakes in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
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This week’s hike from the archives:
Hike Notes 106: Metson Lake – Golden Gate Park