Wanderlust in the Time of Coronavirus (A GeoEx eBook)

Wanderlust in the Time of Coronavirus

July 14, 2020

OLD GROWTH: HIKING INTO THE HEART OF MUIR WOODS

T hree weeks ago, I decided that since circumstances beyond my control were obliging me to shelter in place in the Bay Area, I should take advantage of this opportunity to explore the iconic local attractions that are usually overwhelmed by visitors from around the planet. Why not use this global Pause to press Play on the Bay Area’s world-class wonders? I started by walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, an odyssey that I had been meaning to make for decades—and that, when I finally did make it, bestowed transformative, multi- layered lessons in time and place. Inspired by that pilgrimage, I was exhilarated to discover that Muir Woods National Monument, another world-class wonder that I had been meaning to visit for decades, had just re-opened. In recent years, the monument had become so popular that park authorities had initiated a shuttle service, but with almost no tourists coming now, visitors are able to drive to the parking lots near the park’s entrance, just as in the old days. Online parking reservations are required, but with the number of visitors dramatically decreased, I was able to reserve a parking space for four days later with no problem. I reserved the first time slot, 9:00-9:30 am, and paid my park

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