Someone to Walk With

Someone to Walk With
            I loved stepping out my front door as a kid and choosing which direction to walk on a whim. Through our apple orchard to the creek? Past the wild roses down the stone stairs into the back fields? Past the fallen barn, ducking under barbed wire to catch a glimpse of the swan and mallards on the Jones’s pond? Walk the 2.2 miles “around the block” on our country roads and hope none of the farm dogs were loose off their chains?
            Sometimes I walked with my brothers or dad, but I often went alone, sometimes with my beagle Spike alongside.
            Time outdoors on my own has long been a necessary treasure. Thoughts and feelings have a way of sorting themselves during the act of moving through a forest, along a shoreline, or even through city streets.
            I wonder if my severely autistic son wishes he could walk alone? We let him walk ahead on the trail a bit, when there aren’t crowds of people for him to bump into, but for the most part, someone is always within arm’s length to redirect him if needed.
            The concept of dangers such as electricity, fire, or falling from high places have not registered with him yet, despite being in his twenties, so even at home he’s under supervision.
            I believe that time outdoors is also a necessary treasure for my son. Since he still needs to walk with someone, I’m glad we family members are here to walk alongside him.
            May we all enjoy time soaking up nature, whether alone or with a companion, moving by the power of our feet or a wheelchair, or simply looking out our back window. Keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes, Shakespeare Garden-Golden Gate Park, one of the many interesting nooks and crannies in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
            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. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
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Hike Notes 183: Shakespeare Garden-Golden Gate Park