That “Summer Vacation” Feeling

That “Summer Vacation” Feeling
            As a kid in starkly contrasting four-seasons Upstate New York, by the time we hit August, it felt like summer was already ending. We’d plan the last camping trip in the Adirondacks, the last swim at a local lake, the last day hanging out at the secret swimming hole. There was morning frost on the ground before school started in September.
            Temperate weather on the coast where I live now makes it possible to feel that “summer vacation” feeling in other seasons. Watching surfers at Stinson Beach, people watching at Golden Gate Park, paddling a boat around Blue Heron Lake (previously Stow Lake)—these all exude a spirit of carefree freedom. 
            A different kind of favorite is Aquatic Park and Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco. There’s something about visiting any National Park site—which includes Hyde Street Pier—that makes me feel like I’m on a summer road trip. 
            Walk along Aquatic Park and you can see not only the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, but also swimmers from the Dolphin Club swimming in the bay (sometimes with sea lions pestering them), with beautiful historic ships looming behind them.
            When looking for a small dose of that vacation feeling, we take the scenic walk from Fort Mason Stairs to Hyde Street Pier, the featured hike from the archives this week.
            We don’t have to fly or drive far to have a vacation moment. Playing tourist in our own backyard is underrated. What’s your nearby favorite spot? Keep putting one foot forward!
 
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
            If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop 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. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
This week’s Hike Notes from the Archives:
Hike Notes 58: Fort Mason Stairs to Hyde Street Pier