“I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.”
–Henry David Thoreau
outdoors
Hiking in a Pandemic
Being able to enjoy the outdoors almost feels forgotten. With the impact of COVID-19, we should make sure we do our part in keeping ourselves and others safe. In California, it has been an up and down battle on getting things under control. Sunday, my family and I decided that it was possible for us to get back into hiking and do our weekly walks. Of course we took precautions and followed the suggested guidelines. We had our hand sanitizers, keeping six feet apart and wearing our masks.
The Trail
We decided to go to a less strenuous trail and hopefully wasn’t too crowded. We took Rex this time, so we only managed to make it about 2 miles.There’s a variety of starting points for a nice walk. It can start from Fernandez Park in Pinole and end all the way at Pinole Shores. Or you can start at Fernandez Park and find yourself in Hercules next to Leila by the Bay Restaurant. I have only done this hike once before when it first opened up and it was beautiful. Now, almost two years later, it still is a beautiful trail and kind of maintained in this Pandemic. The trail we decided to take had the starting point of Bayfront Park. Since the tide was out, we could walk out into the bay quite a ways. It’s can be very slick, so be careful. After we walked out into the bay, we made our way over the bridge which gives you a beautiful overlook of both the bay and Mount Tamalpais. We hit our 1 mile mark on my Fitbit and turned around. We couldn’t go much further because Rex was with us and it was hot! By the time we got back to the truck it was a little over 2 miles. The trail wasn’t very crowded at all. When we did see and pass people, we all had our masks on and practiced the 6 feet social distancing rule. It was nice to be outdoors again, and even nicer that people were polite and courteous of the situation.
The new bridge on the Bay Trail.
Some Things to Bring
- Good walking or hiking shoes.
- Water. Always a good idea to hydrate.
- Sunblock to protect your skin.
- If you bring your dog, they are required to be on a leash.
- A walking stick if you would like.
- Masks
- Hand Sanitizer.
Additional Info
Parking is free and doesn’t get too crowded. Because of COVID-19 the trail upkeep is a little less. Be careful of wild animals, snakes and spiders. The area is relatively safe, but make sure to lock your vehicle and keep valuables out of sight. Bring a snack and water with you. Most of all, stay safe, have fun and enjoy the outdoors. 💚
“Hiking and happiness go hand in hand or foot in boot.”
– Diane Spicer
Pumpkins Everywhere
Trying my hand at photography again. Finding my passion for it in my life is like, relighting the flame on my creative side.
“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.”
Marc Riboud
Relaxing And Enjoying Yosemite
Just A Day Trip So Far.
Hiking and enjoying Yosemite deserves more than one day, all I could manage was a day trip. I still loved it hands down though. Yosemite has been my favorite National Park since my parents started visiting when I was a kid. It is still my favorite today and I try to go as much as I can, which hasn’t been as much as I’ve wanted yet. With how busy and time consuming my life is, I still try to find time for me and my joy. I was so excited to be able to squeeze in a day trip (3 hours away) to Yosemite with one of my good friends. We drove out there, and by we, I drove out there! The weather was perfect, not terribly hot with a slight breeze. There were however a bunch of tourists! I forgot that it was one of the last weekends that school was out, none the less we still enjoyed Yosemite. But beware, traffic and parking can definitely test your patience a bit. When we pulled up to the park entrance I asked about the military annual pass and I ended up receiving one right on the spot! If you want to learn more about it, look no further! Click Here! Driving through the park I had forgotten just how massive and beautiful it was. Mountains everywhere, the Merced river that runs through, just the sheer magnitude of nature’s beauty that it took my breath away. Along the way to Yosemite Village we stopped in the many turnoffs for all the pictures. We finally found a parking spot way down the ways but it was ok because everything was still beautiful to look at. Since we were just doing a short day trip we decided the best option was to hike Lower Yosemite Falls. It is a short loop about 1 mile give or take that gets you right up and personal with the falls.
Trail markers help lead the way!
This is one of my favorite spots because you are literally right there with the falls. After we spent some time taking all the pictures, having a water break and eating some snacks we decided to go to Yosemite Village. There we found a table in the shade and ate our lunch, kind of relaxing before we would set off for the store and Ansel Adam’s Gallery. The store is pretty cool. You can find all your groceries and supplies there along with your souvenirs you would want to take back with you. Below are just a few photos that I took over the day. (Sharpening my photography skills). We ended the day with the relaxing walk back to the truck, before it started getting dark. I can not wait to go again and either camp or stay at one of the lodges there! Stay tuned for more adventures in the future! Happy hiking my nature lovers!
The Ansel Adam’s Gallery
Ansel Adams was a photographer and environmentalist he was born in San Francisco, California in 1902. He was a true protector of Yosemite and became famous for his amazing work. In Yosemite Village he has his own gallery there. The Ansel Adam’s Gallery is a must visit if you have a love for nature and photography.
Camping and Lodging
If you want to make more than just a day trip out of Yosemite, have no fear there are some options to choose from! From tent camping, to fixed tent camping, cabins and lodges there are options for every adventurer out there! Make sure to book in advance and which season you want to visit in. The seasons definitely vary there especially from Spring and Winter. All seasons are a must visit. For me, winter is probably my favorite though! Down below I have a list of a few known camping and lodging for Yosemite.
“In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration.”
― Ansel Adams
Katie Writes 