Serendipitous Pleasures

Serendipitous Pleasures
            Rain or shine, our son, profoundly affected by autism, walks a trail somewhere every Saturday, Sunday, and any day when his special needs program is on break. During the long stretch his facility was closed during the pandemic, he walked well over a thousand miles.
            You’d think we’d run out of places to walk, but there are plenty of favorites even within a city like San Francisco. Sometimes I drive along roads where there are trails he likes and wait for him to call out a place name. “Fort Point!” has been his favorite recently.
            Last Saturday, I backed out of the driveway without a specific destination in mind. I suddenly remembered seeing a post with photos of the tulips in Golden Gate Park. I thought we’d waited too long to see the annual display, but was inspired to check whether a few straggling blossoms remained.
            The windmill garden site near Ocean Beach was filled with camera-wielding visitors, but it was also overflowing with yellow, red, and white tulips and bright orange poppies arranged in patterns. Bordering the garden was a magical purple flowering bush that always entrances me though I don’t know its name.
            Sometimes heading out the door without a firm plan and seeing where your instincts take you can make for the best outings. Get up, get out, and enjoy an adventure, even if it’s an old favorite!
            This week’s HikingAutism Hike Notes from the archives is Queen Wilhelmina Garden, a highlight in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park featuring a working windmill, and stunning flower displays that change throughout the year.
 
This week’s Hike Notes from the Archives:
(Original Hike Notes 129): Queen Wilhelmina Garden
 
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