Urban Pastorale
“Oh my gosh, that looks just like a painting!” I can’t count the number of times I or a family member have said that to each other when the light and composition of something we’re looking at fall into place just right, triggering memories of famous pieces of art. That’s how I felt one sunny San Francisco day on a visit to a city park. Famous for our fog, locals make the most of sunshine and blue sky. Lone figures stretched out on the grass, reading, sleeping, gazing at the sky. Small groups lounged on blankets spread on the grass. Picnickers, yoga enthusiasts, sunbathers. Colorful clothing. Barely any clothing. Something about the light and shadows, the patches of purple, orange and green, and people as abstract symbols dotting the grass brought to mind Claude Monet’s “Luncheon on the Grass,” Georges Seurat’s “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s “Picnic (Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe).” Even in a large city, it’s possible to find lovely places where color patterns and flickering light transport us into an Impressionist painting mood. Find splashes of nature’s colors wherever you are. Listen for bird songs. Watch for bees and butterflies. Nature always has something surprising to brighten our view. Keep putting one foot forward! This week’s Hike Notes, Lafayette Park-San Francisco City Walk, introduces readers to a traditional city park featuring green lawns, picnic areas, tennis courts, a dog play area, and grand bay and city views. If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the new Support/Shop page! 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. Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777 New this week: Hike Notes 189: Lafayette Park-San Francisco City Walk
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Lisa LouisSharing insights and hiking highlights (Hikes, Hike Search by Area) from the special needs caregiver front in San Francisco. Archives
February 2025
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