Scenic Drive

Scenic Drive
            “Here we go, Seanie,” I say as I drive my younger son for an outing. “We’ll take the scenic route!”
            Getting out of the house at least once a day is a must for my autistic son. Rain or shine, he either goes to his day program or goes for a walk.
            Even when we’re going for a walk within San Francisco, I choose a driving route that takes us past the beach, or through the Presidio, or on a road paralleling San Francisco Bay.
            Seeing beautiful sights, even for a short drive, makes us feel better.
            Then there are the big scenic drives to more remote trailheads such as in Marin County.
            We drive in twists and turns, passing through dark redwood tunnels. As the road rises, we are treated to expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. These are the joys of driving on Mt. Tam.
            Sometimes we don’t have the energy to hike deep into the forest and back for three or four miles. We might just need a dose of heart-lifting, mind-clearing scenery without worrying about what trail connects where.
            The ride to the trailhead is part of the overall hiking experience. I snip at family members when I’m driving us for a special hike and catch them looking at their cell phones.
            “I didn’t bring us here to look at screens!” I say. Controlling mom? I plead guilty. Time is a precious commodity for me, and taking my family to absorb the beauty of Mt. Tam is a gift to them from me, and that is a gift to myself.
            West Ridgecrest Boulevard on Mt. Tam is just one example of a drive that offers amazing views while allowing visitors to make a roadside stop and just walk a short distance on one of the rolling hill trails that brings walkers into a glorious view of Stinson Beach, Bolinas Bay and Bolinas Lagoon at a distance below.
            When you’re not up for a big hike, but can manage a drive, take a scenic route that brings the combined sense of peace and exhilaration that nature offers so generously. Expand your horizons by taking in some views, and keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes, West Ridgecrest View Paths, introduces readers to a beautiful stretch of road that allows for easy strolls to catch glorious views.
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New this week:
Hike Notes 216: West Ridgecrest View Paths