Same Yet Different
Standing at the trailhead above the beach, I watch the surfers. I have a secret rule that I can’t move forward until I’ve seen three surfers catch waves. Every wave and every ride is different. I make my way down to the beach, the surface made of tiny, ocean-ground pebbles rather than fine sand. A peaceful lagoon lies to my left as my eye is drawn to the rough waves and rock formations on my right. On one day the sun is bright, on another a gusty wind blows from a gray sky. Walking toward the rusty colored trails and bluffs ahead, I turn left and take in the view of the quiet lagoon, sometimes dotted with birds, other times empty. I make my way up the hill along the trail that takes me through a mixture of open spaces, stretches of trail narrowed by thick brush, and an iconic eucalyptus tree that feels magical every visit, the light and shadow highlighting the branches differently each time. Wildflowers line the trail in spring, dry brush at the end of summer. The rolling hills in the distance are a vivid green after winter rains, and shift to a pale gold by the end of the dry season. Like any favorite trail, favorite place, or favorite person, every visit varies. The sky is brighter, the temperature is lower, different flowers are blooming, the mood is different. Familiar places, events and people constitute the comfort zones of our lives, even though they—and we—are always changing. What makes familiarity comforting? Do we notice the differences each time? Perhaps it is the combination of both sameness and novelty that keeps us coming back to old favorites. Enjoy your special places, and keep putting one foot forward! This week’s Hike Notes from the archives is Rodeo Lagoon Loop-Marin Headlands. Rodeo Beach is a great starting spot for many hikes, including this 1.5 mile loop around the lagoon, which is also a bird watcher’s delight. This week’s Hike Notes from the Archives: (Original Hike Notes 110): Rodeo Lagoon Loop-Marin Headlands Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area 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. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. 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! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
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Lisa LouisSharing insights and hiking highlights (Hikes, Hike Search by Area) from the special needs caregiver front in San Francisco. Archives
February 2025
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