Tree Tunnel Passages

Tree Tunnel Passages
            Many years ago, my husband’s family sent a Japanese language copy of popular animated movie “My Neighbor Totoro” from Japan. My sons (and we parents) watched it countless times.
            One young girl character has a penchant for stumbling into enticing, mysterious tree tunnels.
            “Look, a Totoro tree tunnel!” I call out to my hiking companions whenever we approach a canopied pathway.
            Tunnels have a magnetic attractive force. Visually, they draw our eyes. Physically, they pull us forward. Emotionally, they hit certain switches.
            When a tree tunnel comes into view, I stop and absorb for a moment before plunging ahead.
            A tunnel is a portal from one place to another, both in terms of tangible space and harder to define elements.
            I, too, enjoy venturing ahead into a tree tunnel, seeing where it twists and turns, sensing how it opens up to wide space again. Looking back to ponder the road we’ve walked has its benefits. Sometimes, though, I just enjoy the tunnel as I’m passing through, and let it flow behind me, feet aiming forward to the trail ahead.
            This week’s Hike Notes, Glen Canyon Park from Below, lead along the lower level paths of a favorite nature-in-the-city site, Glen Canyon Park in San Francisco. (See previous entry for the upper trails: Glen Canyon Park from Above.) 
            Please feel free to share. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photos!
            The list of hikes is getting long! Please check the Quick View Hike List or scroll down the main Hikes page to see the current list of hike notes.
New this week:
Hike Notes 61: Glen Canyon Park from Below