August 07, 2004
Thinking in Muir Woods
I went cycling to Muir Woods, a national park that is famous for huge trees. I enjoyed hiking there.
While I was walking in the forest, I was asking to myself why I was so happy then. People sometimes ask me why I love becoming dirty in hiking and cycling. Packaged tours can provide the same experience with less sweat and less time. In fact, Muir Woods is a famous destination for packaged tours. I have never successfully answered to the question. That’s why I was thinking in the forest.
I found that the reason was simple. I could gain experience only by hiking and cycling. A packaged tour does not give me “true” experience. The experience from the packaged tours is like the one from watching a travel show on TV. While I can see the same beautiful spot of TV shows in tours, I can never go beyond the border that the tour conductor set. The experience is strictly standardized for mass consumption. Such an experience does not stay in my mind for long. On the other hand, if I walk around and bike around the place, the experience becomes MY experience. That individual elements give me the feeling of the ownership to the experience. Then, I remember it with happiness for a long time.
Did it make sense for you? I am planning to try this explanation the next time I am asked. Anyway, I got a great personal experience in Muir Woods today.
I started my cycling enjoying view of beautiful houses of San Francisco.
The bridge was foggy. My sight was less than 10 meters.
But beyond the bridge was sunny. I went down a valley behind the bridge to the bay.
The bay was shinning reflecting sun.
Then, I came to a beautiful local town. I decided to spend time there when I came back.
A wide cycling trail started right behind the town. I increased the speed.
After a while I went into a hilly trail.
The view from the hill was nice.
Finally I reached the Muir Woods. It took three and a half hours. I parked my bike and started hiking.
Woods were really huge.
I went beyond the border for bus tourists. The trail was great. I saw the Pacific Ocean covered with fog.
I took other route when I returned.
I went down to the Muir Beach. The beach seemed to be covered with fog all the time.
I returned to the town and enjoyed strolling with a big ice cream in one hand, a Coke in the other hand.
I used a ferry to go back to San Francisco. They allowed bikes with no additional charge.
Soon after departure, the ferry was surrounded by deep fog. The temperature went down suddenly and the wind became strong. After a while, the city of San Francisco appeared in the fog. That scene was unbelievably beautiful. Strangely enough, the fog became pale and finally disappeared when the ferry arrived at the pier. It was as if the city was protected by the fog. But the battery ability of my camera didn’t allow me to take the picture of this scene.